The New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers made a ton of headlines last week when it was announced that a new contract was agreed to. A two-year, $75 million deal was announced with the biggest takeaway being that Aaron Rodgers voluntarily gave back $35 million.
That is money the Jets are looking to put to use right away as running back Dalvin Cook is widely expected to sign with them at some point. The huge salary cap relief that Aaron Rodgers provided the Jets will certainly help, but there is more to the contract than had originally been reported.
According to ProFootballTalk, the contract that the Jets and their new quarterback agreed to is a seven-year deal that has no void years at the end of it to terminate it early. As Mike Florio explained, this is a major development for a few reasons.
“That’s significant, for a couple of reasons. First, it makes the no-tag clause meaningless, because the contract wouldn’t expire until March 2030. Second, it gives the Jets greater control over Rodgers’s next step, if there is one.
Rodgers can retire, but he can’t force his way to freedom without the Jets releasing him. Of course, giving up $33.7 million in pay over the next two years will make it hard for the man who saved that money to say “no” if Rodgers wants out.”
For all intents and purposes, Aaron Rodgers’ deal is for two years. Two or three seasons is what has been mentioned as his timeline to play for the Jets. That is why they are saving so much money upfront, as there will be monetary consequences down the road for the team.
“Thus, even with Rodgers taking so much less than he was due to make over the next two years, there will be a price to pay under the cap when he leaves. Specifically, they’ll have either $49 million less to work with in 2025, or $14 million less in 2025 and $35 million less in 2026.”
All in on chasing a Super Bowl within the next three years, this was a worthwhile risk for the Jets to take. They at least have some control over the situation should Aaron Rodgers’ mind change about staying in New York.
But, for now, everyone is happy with the arrangement that has been put into place. While Aaron Rodgers is making less now, he could make a lot more money down the road depending on how long he sticks with the franchise. That has put the Jets in a position to continue upgrading the roster, putting them in place to hopefully contend for a Super Bowl.
