One big question for the Jets was Aaron Rodgers' contract for 2023 and 2024, but now he has a new contract that will help the team's Super Bowl hopes.
The Green Bay Packers have to be shaking their heads in dismay after Aaron Rodgers' latest decision with the New York Jets.
When the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback was traded to the Big Apple this offseason, one of the big questions was what the Jets would be able to do in order to work around the more than $100 million in guaranteed money that remained on Rodgers' deal he previously signed with the Packers to, obviously, no discount.
There's an answer to that now.
NFL media's Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday that Aaron Rodgers re-worked a new two-year, $75 million contract with the Jets that will give New York substantiall more flexibility through the 2024 season in order to best build a true contending roster around their new quarterback.
NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers helps Jets with re-worked contract
Pelissero clarified that the deal is a five-year deal in full as it has two options to help "spread out bonus proration". Additionally, Rodgers' cap hit will now be just $9 million for the 2023 season, which gives the team even more flexibility to add to the roster this offseason and, obviously, next year as well when his base salary will still be just north of $35 million, substantially less than on the previous contract.
The Jets already proved last season that they are close to having a roster that can contend when they flirted with a postseason berth while Zach Wilson, among others, trotted out as the starting quarterback. So for Rodgers to only give New York even more wiggle room to add pieces is a huge domino to fall.
Rodgers has already indicated that he plans to play more than just the 2023 season with the Jets and this new contract all but confirms that as well. And now we know that the team around the new quarterback in New York will be built with every possible resource.
