According to sources, this week the New York Jets were in discussions with the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers about a four-time MVP trade with the Jets.
Some of these conversations were supposed to take place on Tuesday, sources said, but as of Tuesday morning, it’s unclear if they will lead to a deal.
Rodgers has yet to make any statement about what he intends to do this season. He may decide to retire or 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 seem like a realistic option.
If the Jets speak directly to Rodgers, they and he would have to get the Packers’ clearance because he still has a contract with Green Bay. So the discussions Rogers has with the Jets indicate at least some openness on the part of the Packers to the idea of trading him there.
But the deal has potential complications, including a huge and complicated Rodgers contract that may have to be worked out to make sure both teams meet the salary cap by the start of the league year next Wednesday at 4:00 pm ET.
Rodgers signed a contract through 2024 worth $108.8 million. Technically, the contract, signed last March, runs until 2026, but 2025 and 2026 are considered “dummy” years for the purposes of the restriction. His deal includes a fully guaranteed $59.5 million this season, of which $58.3 million will be paid out as an additional bonus prior to the start of the regular season.
Since his bonus money is distributed pro rata, Rogers would not cap cap the Jets. He will be looking at $15.8 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024, which is a comfortable amount for a player of his stature.
In 2023, the Packers will pay $40.3 million for “dead” — almost $9 million more than he bargained for if he were on the list.
Rich Jimini and Rob Demowski of Sportzshala contributed to this report.
Source: www.espn.com
