With the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers has signed a new contract and is taking a pay cut to try to deliver a Super Bowl to the winning franchise.
Rodgers agreed to a new guaranteed two-year, $75 million contract with the Jets on Wednesday, according to sources.
The four-time NFL MVP had approximately $110 million in guaranteed cash remaining on the previous contract that he signed with Bay. However, Rodgers is taking less money with New York in a move that also makes it seem like his association with the Jets is likely to last only this season.
“Yeah, there’s probably going to be something to hit later today,” Rodgers said.
What did Aaron Rodgers say about this?
As it turned out, it was a brand new contract for a player who has repeatedly indicated he was more than a one-year lease to New York, which hasn’t been to a Super Bowl since its lone win under Joe Namath in 1969.
However, hours before the contract news was to air, Rodgers said, “The group gave up big things for just a one-year contract.” “I am aware of it. I think he had a conscience. Now, again, so I don’t really look at it as something I’ve accomplished in a year; anything can happen with the success we’ve had this year or with my body, but I’m enjoying it.
The Jets sent the first, second, and sixth rounds of this year’s draft to the Packers in April, as well as a conditional second round next year that would become the first round. Green Bay handed out first- and fifth-round picks this year, including at quarterback.
Other things to consider!
Rodgers previously agreed to a new contract that helped spur the trade. He was owed a $58.3 million fully guaranteed prospect bonus, but he carried it over to the following year. This caused New York to pay Rodgers the bare minimum for his first three months with the team, costing just $1.2 million over the salary cap, helping the Jets make more strikes and roster signings.
But that shakeup also meant Rodgers’ 2024 salary would be $107.6 million over next year’s salary cap, an unlimited hit. It also gives Jets fans hope that the team will see a winner shortly after failing to make the playoffs for 12 straight years, the NFL’s longest active postseason drought.
“Certainly, change can be difficult, especially when it’s been so drastic-18 years in one place,” Rodgers said, referring to his time in Green Bay. “But there are some really beautiful things on the other side if you can lean into it and hug it. And I’m still experiencing it, and the people both in Jersey and in the city were nice. And I’m having a great time.”