Packers Give Rodgers $20M Bonus, New Deal Similar to Romo, Garrard Extensions

Yesterday, the Packers made if official: they're moving on without Brett Favre. The club signed Aaron Rodgers to a long-term extension that will keep him in Green Bay through 2014.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn, Rodgers' new deal is worth $65 million over six years, with $20 guaranteed, which is very similar to contracts signed by Tony Romo and David Garrard in the last year.

Romo had made 17 starts by last Oct. 30 when he signed a six-year extension worth $67.5 million nine days into the Cowboys' off week. His contract contained $30 million in guarantees.

Garrard, 30 at the time, had made merely 30 starts in six seasons before he signed a six-year, $57.95 million extension with $18 million in guarantees.

Because Rodgers has just seven starts, the Packers were able to keep the guaranteed money down with a higher annual average annual salary. I suppose you could argue that Rodgers should've sought more up-front cash because, after all, NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, and he's had a history of nicks and bruises in his short career.

Fair enough, I suppose, but Rodgers is young, relatively healthy, and more importantly, talented; if he can avoid the out-for-season type injuries, then he probably won't even see the end of his shiny, new extension, because the Packers will re-negotiate another new contract.

Details aside, Rodgers and the organization both seem happy, so hurray for working together. Next up: getting Greg Jennings a new deal.