Aaron Rodgers' situation with the Jets takes unexpected turn after latest Aaron Glenn update
A couple of weeks ago, it looked like a matter of time before the New York Jets would eventually make the decision to release or trade quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Well, it turns out the situation might not be so clear. After the quarterback said he would be open to return to the Jets in 2025, […]
A couple of weeks ago, it looked like a matter of time before the New York Jets would eventually make the decision to release or trade quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Well, it turns out the situation might not be so clear.
After the quarterback said he would be open to return to the Jets in 2025, even if the team wants to draft a successor in the draft, NFL Network's insider Ian Rapoport reported that new head coach Aaron Glenn is also open to this possibility.
"They have a quarterback decision. Aaron Rodgers has been very clear, the decision about whether he comes back will be up to the new head coach and the new general manager," Rapoport said. "Aaron Glenn to my understanding is open to it, Rodgers as well. Expect those conversations to ramp up in the coming week".
Curiously, new Jets general manager Darren Mougey was with the Denver Broncos in 2022 as an assistant GM. By that time, the Broncos considered trading for Rodgers. However, the quarterback ultimately decided to play a final season for the Packers, and the Broncos moved quickly to trade for Russell Wilson.
Under Aaron Glenn, Rodgers could work as a bridge quarterback—and it's not easy to find a much better option on the market for that role.
Contract
Aaron Rodgers is entering the final year of his deal with the Jets. The quarterback is slated to make $37.5 million, a reasonable salary considering the market for the position. The cap hit would be $23.5 million.
If Rodgers is traded or released, the Jets would have to handle $49 million in dead money—with a post-June 1st designation, the dead money would be $21 million in 2025 and $28 million in 2026.
The future is the bigger problem if Rodgers plays. Moving more money around to keep his 2024 cap hit low would create a situation in which Rodgers will leave a $63 million cap hit behind him in 2026, when he won't be under contract—it could be $21 million in 2026 and $42 million in 2027 with a post-June 1st designation.
It all depends on how the new leadership structure of the Jets sees the team. If they still hope to be competitive in 2025 (a competitive rebuild), keeping Rodgers could make sense. And Aaron Glenn might be willing to do so.
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