The Facts: The Green Bay Packers and Rodgers have reportedly made "measurable progress" toward a contract extension in recent days.
Diehards Line:
On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported there's now "optimism" a deal could be reached before the start of the 2018 regular season. ... Rodgers, who has two years left on his current deal, has limited leverage because of the team's contractual control and decided to attend camp despite his desire for a fresh agreement. His $19.8 million base salary for the 2018 season ranks second among QBs behind only the Minnesota Vikings' Kirk Cousins, per Spotrac. Rodgers and the Packers open the preseason next Thursday against the Tennessee Titans and kick off the regular season Sept. 9 when they welcome the Chicago Bears to Lambeau Field. ... We'll see if that opener comes under a new deal or not soon enough.