Aaron Rodgers finally became a New York Jet this week. The Jets spent heavily to bring Rodgers to New York. Along with swapping 2023 first-round picks, the Jets also sent a 2023 second-rounder, a 2026 sixth-rounder, and a 2024 conditional second-rounder. The 2024 pick becomes a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets snaps this season. Rodgers is expected to eclipse that mark easily barring injury, mid-season retirement, or benching. That package got them the four-time MVP.
The move immediately shot the Jets into playoff, and even Super Bowl, contention. Rodgers is a seasoned veteran who can bring stability to the quarterback spot for an increasingly young roster in New York. However, the uncertainty around Rodgers' future may cost the Jets big.
Rodgers Carries A $100M+ Price Tag In 2024
Aaron Rodgers signed a 3-year extension with the Packers last year. That contract is worth $150 million and carried over to the Jets when they traded. In that form, the Jets would have had a $15.8 million cap hit. However, according to ESPN, the Jets and Rodgers have restructured his 2023 payout to stop the team from going over the cap. The Jets added additional space by also restructuring the contract of John Franklin-Myers. The team is currently around $7 million under the cap. However, the restructuring has left the Jets with a massive pay obligation next year.
In 2023, Rodgers will earn the base minimum salary of $1.165 million. This will allow the Jets to sign draft picks and any additional free agents. However, that pushes a vast amount of money into 2024. Rodgers will be owed $107 million. $58.3 million of that will be his option bonus from this year, which has been converted into a base salary for next year. Another $47 million comes from the option bonus for next year. Finally, there is the $1.21 million minimum salary. All that totals $107 million. However, Rodgers has also indicated that he is not with the Jets for a "one-and-done" season and that he wants to add more titles to the Jets locker room. Furthermore, Rodgers and the Jets have indicated that additional restructuring could take place over the season. Rodgers' current contract runs until 2026. Do you think the Jets overpaid for Rodgers?
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