Jets in talks with Packers, Aaron Rodgers, sources say
The New York Jets have had conversations with the Green Bay Packers and with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week regarding a potential trade of the four-time MVP to the Jets, according to sources.
The sources said some of those conversations were expected to take place Tuesday, but that it's unclear as of Tuesday morning whether they will result in a trade.
Rodgers still has not made any announcements about what he intends to do this season. It's still possible he decides to retire, or to stay in Green Bay. But if he still wants to play and he and the Packers agree it's time for him to play somewhere else, the Jets appear to be a realistic option.
If the Jets are speaking directly with Rodgers, they and he would have had to secure the Packers' permission, as he is still under contract with Green Bay. So, the discussions Rodgers is having with the Jets indicate at least some openness on the part of the Packers to the idea of trading him there.
But there are potential complications to a deal, including Rodgers' huge and complicated contract, that might have to be addressed to make sure both teams would be in compliance with the salary cap by the start of the league year next Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Rodgers is under contract through 2024 for $108.8 million. Technically, the contract, signed last March, runs through 2026, but 2025 and 2026 are considered "dummy" years for cap purposes. His deal includes a fully guaranteed $59.5 million this season, with $58.3 million coming in the form of an option bonus, payable before the start of the regular season.
Because his bonus money is prorated, Rodgers wouldn't hobble the Jets' cap. He would count $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024, cap-friendly for a player of his stature.
The Packers would get hit with a $40.3 million "dead" charge in 2023 -- nearly $9 million more than he'd count if he were on the roster.
Originally Posted by staylor26:
I don't know man, from everything reported this morning, it sounds like they had a deal in place, Rodgers made his comment about being 90% sure about retirement, and Woody Johnson got scared.
Packers reportedly were/are even willing to give something back in 2025 if Rodgers retires after one season, but the Jets said no.
Seems like it's the Jets holding this thing up now.
Give SOMETHING back. It was probably some bullshit low pick in return. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief: To be fair, Rodgers hasn't really been the cause of any of this. He immediately made it known he wanted to play for the Jets and didn't waste anyone's time. This is on the Packers front office for being clueless idiots (which they have been for years) and thinking they have some kind of leverage here when they have absolutely none whatsoever.
Rodgers could certainly come out and commit to playing for 2 more years, but it's not really his problem to make Woody Johnson feel better about the situation. I actually agree though about Jackson. Not sure why they wouldn't be taking a look at him. Seems Johnson got dead set on Rodgers and there's no turning back now.
Bolded part 1 is patently false, Rodgers drug his feet and didn't say anything about playing again for sure until fairly recently. This also seemed to coincide with GB saying they were moving on which kind of forced his hand.
The second part also explains why Rodgers is the main issue in all of this and why he hasn't been traded yet. [Reply]
The Packers have traditionally been well run for not having an owner. Jordan Love will surely be one of the more polarizing players in the league next year simply bc of expectations and limited play time.
God I can’t imagine what it would be like for the rest of that division if Love is another great one. That’s probably not likely, but even a very good QB?