The Aaron Rodgers drama has reached an undramatic conclusion from seestyle's blog

The Aaron Rodgers drama has reached an undramatic conclusion. Rodgers will remain the Packers' starting quarterback in 2022 in beyond, only with a much more lucrative contract.The team offered Rodgers a . The reported $153 million guaranteed and $50 million average annual salary are parameters that would make him the highest-paid player n NFL history. Given Rodgers was set to count more than $46 million toward this year's salary cap, the new pact is also set to give the Packers some much-needed immediate cap relief.Now what? Green Bay didn't want to part ways with Rodgers, two-time reigning NFL MVP, after three consecutive 13-win seasons under coach Matt LaFleur. But it also knows Kendall Graveman Jersey it still has more work to do to get over the hump and get to that elusive second Super Bowl with Rodgers.Here's a look ahead at what should be in the rest of the Packers' offseason plans:MORE: 1. Figure out the best long-term deal for WR Davante AdamsAdams got franchise-tagged before the March 8 afternoon deadline, right after the Packers got confirmation that Rodgers would still be playing for them. He's set to earn $20.145 million all guaranteed in 2022 should he sign his tender and play on a one-year deal.But given the cap situation and how they adjusted Rodgers' deal, it would be in the Green Bay officials' best interest to get their 29-year-old locked in with a three- or four-year contract worth up to $25 million per season for additional short-term cap relief.In addition to Rollie Fingers Jersey a new deal for Rodgers, the Packers also already restructured the contacts of three more core players, running back Aaron Jones, offensive tackle David Bakhtiari and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. That saved a combined more than $23 million toward the cap. It would fall in line to do the same from scratch for the indispensable Adams.2. Complete the extension for CB Jaire AlexanderAlexander, the Packers' star shutdown corner and 2018 first-rounder, is playing for $13.294 million on the final year of his rookie contract after the team picked up his fifth-year option. He's the most valuable piece of their secondary.The key will be giving Alexander a sizable bonus that drops his base salary for 2022 and spreads out the cap hit to be lower than the current number. At only 25, Alexander should have at least five more ace seasons if healthy. 3. Work to keep half of the "Smith Brothers" on the edgeWith emergence of Rashan Gary as a pa s rusher at age 24, the Packers should part ways with Za'Darius Smith, who's entering his age 30 season coming off a 2021 marred by as a back injury. Releasing him would save a ma sive $15.281 million toward the cap.Preston Smith was healthy and played at a high level at outside linebacker opposite Gary. He rebounded to play at his 2019 form with 9 sacks. Given he's also about to hit 30 this season, the Packers can retain him with a reasonable restructure. With Clark, Alexander and Gary already in the fold for 2022, Smith is the last key piece to absolutely keep Sonny Gray Jersey .4. Make the tough decisions on DE Dean Lowry and S Adrian AmosThe Packers could consider releasing right tackle Billy Turner and wide receiver Randall Cobb for a combined $10-million plus in cap relief, but their investment in Rodgers makes that a shaky idea, Instead they can consider a different duo on defense.Around Clark, end Tyler Lancaster is already a free agent but releasing the other starter Lowry would bring $4 million in savings. That should be the lean as that position will be addre sed anyway somewhere in the draft. Cutting Amos would provide $4.6 million in relief, but given he was much better than fellow safety Darnell Savage last season, the Packers need to leave room to keep Amos.NFL DRAFT 2022: | 5. Don't overpay to re-sign ILB De'Vondre CampbellThe Packers are hopeful to keep the free agent Campbell, who broke out as a first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2021 on the strength of 146 tackles, two sacks, six QB hits, five pa ses defended and two interceptions. He was signed on the cheap (one year, $2 million) after five combined seasons with the Falcons and Cardinals.Campbell is coming off a career year that will be hard to match in his Age 29 season. For that reason, the Packers cannot pay more than $6 million a season to bring him Cliff Pennington Jersey back for two to three years. He should be a re-signing priority, but only at the right raised price.6. Try to make one free agent splurgeThe early rumored big name is edge rusher Von Miller, who just boosted the Rams' defense on the way to winning Super Bowl 56. Miller turns 33 at the end of March but is back healthy and tapping into his younger dominance. Because of the age, there's a chance Miller can be had for $11 million per season, especially if he can land with another Super Bowl contender.The Packers won't be able to afford much once getting cap compliant and taking care of their own preferred free agents, but Miller represents an intriguing opportunity should they release one Smith and get additional savings from the other. 7. Focus on immediate impact in the draftThe Packers have nine selections in the 2022 NFL draft, with five coming in the first four rounds. Once they do some finagling with defensive Dennis Eckersley Jersey contracts, there will be greater short-term need offensively around Rodgers, with the team's free agents including wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Robert Tonyan.With No. 28 overall (first round) and No. 59 overall (second round), the Packers need to come up with at least one starter-ready big-play wideout to complement Adams (see Treylon Burks, Drake London or Jahan Dotson). Regardle s of what happens with Campbell, they need another rangy playmaker at inside linebacker (see Christian Harris or Chad Muma).The depth at tight end also will put them in position to steal a good player for that position at No. 92 overall (third round). The right situational edge pa s rusher also cannot be ignored if there's no move for Miller or another veteran.The Packers also cannot forget getting the right young players to upgrade the special teams units under new coordinator Rich Bisaccia, including a punter to replace free agent Corey Bojorquez (Matt Araiza or Jordan Stout).Now that Rodgers is back, they cannot afford to waste another MVP-caliber season from him with lingering or further developing weakne ses. Now that there's no more energy required to keep Rodgers, LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst need to be on point with every other move they make.

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By seestyle
Added Aug 14 '22

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