Combined cap hits for Rodgers, Matthews

[SnakeLH2006]

By Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com

So while we have a moment, let's close the loop on a discussion we've been meandering through for years. What is the Green Bay Packers' annual costs for retaining quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews for the majority (if not entirety) of their careers?

The chart provides the details in cap terms. Rodgers and Matthews will account for 15.2 percent of this year's $123 million cap allotment. It's difficult to project future percentages without knowing the team-by-team cap number for those years, but it's worth noting that the highest combined year for the pair is in 2017 at $35.85 million.

Relatively speaking, that's a reasonable sum for two elite players. For context, consider that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is scheduled to count $31.5 million against the 2017 cap on his own.

Annual Cap Hits for Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews Deals
Player 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Aaron Rodgers $12M $17.9M $18.6M $19.6M $20.65M $20.9M $21.1M
Clay Matthews $6.71M $11M $12.7M $13.75M $15.2M $11.4M --
Total $18.71M $28.9M $31.3M $33.35M $35.85M $32.3M --

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That's not too bad.

[Fritz]

It seems insane, yet in the context of what is the NFL, it seems reasonable.

I'm wondering, if Raji is up for hanging his shingle in GB long-term, if there's room in that thar salary cap for him, too.

[King Friday]

I'm not sure the Packers are going to be willing to pay enough coin to keep Raji...who doesn't seem to always give 100% and has the potential to become one of those guys who gets fat and bad once they see the wrong side of 30.

[3irty1]

Raji won't make that much more than he makes right now on the open market. They could pay him easy IMO.

[woodbuck27]

That leap in $$$$ season 2014 = Brutal.

BJ Raji ; Tramone Williams; Jermichael Finley>>>Bye Bye

[cheesner]

What I really like about the contracts, is they didn't redo the old one. They only added an extension. I hope the thinking there is that the Packers expect you to honor your contract. Spread out over their entirety, I was surprised how reasonable the $$ is. By the time the actual extension kicks in for Rodgers in 2 years, this is going to seem very reasonable.

[woodbuck27]

What I really like about the contracts, is they didn't redo the old one. They only added an extension. I hope the thinking there is that the Packers expect you to honor your contract. Spread out over their entirety, I was surprised how reasonable the $$ is. By the time the actual extension kicks in for Rodgers in 2 years, this is going to seem very reasonable.

My position>>>Worry ..... or simply.

Hope your correct.

GO PACK GO !

[Brandon494]

They will keep Raji but Finley and Williams are the next ones out the door. I'm hoping Williams will be able to turn it around this season, hopefully his shoulder has completely healed.

[MadtownPacker]

Money saver.

http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/wp-content/slideshow/2012/12/nfl-power-rankings-top-10-rookie-of-the-year-candidates/medium/Casey-Hayward.jpg

[Brandon494]

Yup and hopefully this kid from Iowa can follow in his foot steps.

[Fritz]

Poor Hawk. We rag on him for his play, and when he does the "team" thing and take a pay cut to help out (and to keep his job), we rag on him then, too.

Me included. But it's too much fun to pass on.