Packers' Books are Open! 📰🔥

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Caleb Williams finally signed, Brandon Aiyuk requests a trade, Shaq Barret retires, ‘Good Morning Football’ returns, and we’ve got a breakdown of the financials behind the league’s only publicly-owned franchise.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Caleb Williams signs four-year, $39.4 million contract with the Bears (ESPN)

• QB J.J. McCarthy reportedly signing four-year, $21.85M fully guaranteed contract with Vikings (Yahoo Sports)

• Broncos, guard Quinn Meinerz agree to four-year, $80 million extension (NFL.com)

• Bears sign first-round pick, WR Rome Odunze to four year, $22.7 million contract (ESPN)

• Packers sign Kenny Clark to three-year, $64M extension (ESPN)

• Brandon Aiyuk likely to hold out of 49ers training camp after officially requesting a trade (SI.com)

• Cowboys prioritizing CeeDee Lamb’s contract ahead of Dak (PFT)

• Saints, WR Rashid Shaheed agree to a one-year, $5.2 million extension (ESPN)

• RB Corey Dillon joins Bengals’ Ring of Honor Class of 2024 (NFL.com)

• Detroit Lions to add Calvin Johnson Jr. to Pride of the Lions (Detroit Lions)

• Two-time Super Bowl champion Shaq Barrett retires from NFL (ESPN)

• RB Kenyan Drake retires from NFL after eight seasons (NFL.com)

• ‘Receiver’ reveals that Lions hid Amon-Ra St. Brown’s oblique injury for Week 4 at Packers (PFT)

• Jason Wright moving out of role as Commanders president, will leave team by end of 2024 season (NFL.com)

• Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte won't face prosecution over online gambling while at LSU (NFL.com)

• Jags file $66.6 million lawsuit vs. ex-staffer who stole funds (ESPN)

• ‘Good Morning Football’ relaunches July 29 after NFL Network reboots show (SI.com)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Shaq Barrett. In a move that caught many by surprise, linebacker Shaq Barrett announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday after nine productive seasons. The 31-year-old edge rusher leaves the game as a two-time Super Bowl champion, having won the coveted Lombardi Trophy with the Denver Broncos in 205 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

Barrett's on-field exploits were nothing short of remarkable. After going undrafted out of Colorado State in 2014, he carved out a role with the Denver Broncos, emerging as a key cog in their vaunted defense. His breakout campaign came in 2019 when he joined the Buccaneers and racked up an NFL-leading 19.5 sacks, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors.

The following season, Barrett's relentless pass rush played a pivotal role in Tampa Bay's Super Bowl LV triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs. His postseason performance that year, which included four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, cemented his status as one of the league's premier edge defenders.

While his retirement may have come as a surprise, Barrett leaves the game on his own terms, having achieved the ultimate goal of capturing a championship. His tenacity, work ethic, and never-say-die attitude will be sorely missed on the gridiron, but his legacy as a consummate professional and winner is forever etched in NFL lore. Congratulations to Shaq Barrett on his retirement.

Who’s down?
New York Jets. The New York Jets' acquisition of Aaron Rodgers was supposed to signal a new era of competence and stability. However, recent reports suggest the organization's decision-making process remains as chaotic as ever.

According to multiple sources, the Jets attempted to bring in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith to serve as an offensive assistant, essentially undermining the authority of current offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. This move reeks of desperation and a lack of faith in Hackett's abilities, despite the team's public support.

The situation raises questions about the Jets' commitment to Hackett and their overall plan for integrating Rodgers into the offense. It's a puzzling move that could create unnecessary tension and confusion within the coaching staff and locker room which is already strained by what is in all likelihood a ‘win or else’ season for the coaching staff and front office.

While Rodgers' arrival generated excitement among Jets fans, the organization's handling of the Hackett situation is a concerning reminder of the dysfunction that has plagued the team for years. Instead of providing a stable environment for their high-profile acquisition, the Jets appear to be setting themselves up for potential turmoil before the season even begins.

As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on how this saga unfolds and whether the Jets can finally break free from their reputation for mismanagement and underachievement.

NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Breaking down the financials of the league’s on publicly-owned franchise

In a testament to the NFL's unparalleled financial might, the Green Bay Packers, the league's only publicly-owned franchise, unveiled their financial report for the 2023-24 season, and the numbers are staggering. According to the report, the Packers raked in a total revenue of $654 million, with a whopping $402.3 million coming from their share of the NFL's national revenue pool (via Sportico).

The NFL's national revenue for the 2023-24 season stood at a staggering $12.87 billion, underscoring the league's dominance as the most lucrative sports property in the world. With the salary cap set at $255 million, the Packers' financial muscle is evident, as they have a staggering $400 million to allocate towards non-player expenses.

These eye-popping figures highlight the NFL's financial juggernaut, driven by massive media rights deals, sponsorships, and a rabid fan base that continues to fuel the league's growth. As the Packers' financial report demonstrates, even a small-market team like Green Bay can generate revenues on par with major metropolitan franchises, thanks to the league's revenue-sharing model.

While the Packers' on-field performance has been inconsistent in recent years, their financial prowess remains unmatched, solidifying their status as one of the most valuable and profitable franchises in professional sports.

Did you know?

🏈 The Packers reported a $60.1 million operating profit for the fiscal year ending on March 31.
🏈 $654 million in total revenue, is up roughly 7% from the prior year.
🏈 The majority of revenue ($402.3 million) came from the Packers’ share of national revenue distributed equally among it’s franchises.
🏈 The NFL’s goal is to reach $25 billion in total annual revenue by 2027.

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