Green Bay Packers: 5 reasons 2018 will be pivotal for Aaron Rodgers

2. New pressure of huge contract

Once again, Rodgers is deservedly the highest paid player in the NFL and in NFL history. After falling a couple notches since his last extension, Rodgers signed a massive four-year, $134 million extension that could be worth $180 million if he makes all his incentives. Rodgers also gets $80 million total by March 17, 2019. Wowzers.

Before the deal became official, there were rumors he might want a percentage of the salary cap as it continues to jump each season. Others said he might want a say in the decision-making for the team. Even though it doesn’t appear either of those things happened, Rodgers still has the added weight of playing under this huge contract.

Unlike fellow great Tom Brady, Rodgers went the route of getting the most money possible. Well he certainly deserves every penny and more, some might say it cripples his team. Now that new general manger Brian Gutekunst is more aggressive in free agency and the trade market, the Packers will have to work around Rodgers’ huge annual salary. It’s certainly doable, but it just puts another potential barrier in place for Green Bay to continue to accrue top talent.