The New York Jets got their quarterback, acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. But there is one massive question mark about the deal.
The New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers finally decided to agree to terms on a trade surrounding Aaron Rodgers. The Jets are set to receive Rodgers, the former four-time NFL MVP, the Packers’ 15th-overall pick this year and a fifth-round pick in 2023. As for the Packers, they are receiving the 13th overall pick this year, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2023 sixth-round pick and a 2024 conditional second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays in 65 percent of plays this upcoming season.
This is a huge trade that fans expected but was waiting to be finalized. The Jets have a quarterback who they believe can help them in the pursuit of their second Super Bowl title. The Packers now have more draft capital to build the team around new starting quarterback Jordan Love.
While the trade is done, there is still one massive question mark remaining — did Rodgers renegotiate his contract to facilitate the trade?
Aaron Rodgers’ contract a massive question mark following trade
ESPN’ Rich Cimini and Rob Demovsky wrote about the trade, and it is noted that it is unknown if Rodgers reworked his contract to facilitate a trade.
Cimini and Demovsky write that the Jets will be inheriting the rest of Rodgers’ contract with the team, where $59.465 million is guaranteed for this upcoming season, with $58.3 million coming on a bonus due by Week 1 of the 2023 season. With that, Rodgers accounts for $15.8 million against the cap. Again, this is prior to the trade, and it’s unknown whether or not there was some restructuring on the contract.
Rodgers is coming off of a 2022 season where he battled with a thumb injury and worked with a younger wide receiver corps that didn’t have Davante Adams on the depth chart anymore. In 17 games, Rodgers threw for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 64.6 percent of his passes.
The Jets were in desperate need to address the quarterback position. All around, the team is set, with the signal caller position being murky. Zach Wilson, the team’s second-overall pick in 2021, did not take the leap that the team needed him to, and was benched midway through the season. Now, they made the move to add a proven veteran to lead the offense. Getting a four-time NFL MVP will certainly help the team take a leap to the next level.
