Controversial Anti-Vaxxer QB Becomes Highest-Paid NFL Player Ever

Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will return to the Green Bay Packers with a massive new contract that will make the quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history, according to reports.

“Yes, I will be playing with the Packers next year,” Rodgers confirmed on Twitter Tuesday. “However, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I ‘signed.’ I’m very excited to be back.”

Multiple news outlets and journalists, including NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and CBS Sports NFL Insiders Jason La Canfora and Jonathan Jones, reported Tuesday that Rodgers agreed to a $200 million deal that will pay him $50 million per season for four years.

The quarterback will receive $153 million guaranteed as part of the extension, according to Rapoport.

Rodgers, who is estimated to be worth $200 million, has been playing for the Packers since 2005.

He was paid $2.35 million in salary in his rookie year, but by the 2020-21 season, he was getting more than $21 million in annual salary, according to Spotrac.

So far, Rodgers has earned about $263 million playing for the Packers for 17 seasons.

Last year, Rodgers sparked controversy over his COVID-19 vaccination status.

Before the start of the 2021 NFL season, the quarterback said he was “immunized” against the virus. However, after testing positive for COVID-19 in November 2021, he admitted that he was unvaccinated and misled people about his vaccination status.

The four-time NFL MVP said he didn’t want the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after allegedly hearing of multiple people who'd had adverse reactions to it. Rodgers also claimed he was worried that the vaccine could cause fertility problems.

The NFL later fined the Packers $300,000 and Rodgers $14,650 for violations of the league and NFL Players Association protocols for unvaccinated players.

According to the NFL's ranking, Patrick Mahomes is currently the highest-paid player in the league. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback reportedly signed a 10-year contract in 2020 that will pay him $45 million per year through 2031.

Behind Mahomes is Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who in 2021 reportedly agreed to a deal that will pay him an average of $43 million per year through 2028.