Aaron Rodgers Explains Decision to Take Significant Pay Cut With Jets

Rodgers explained why he left $33.7 million on the table in his restructured deal with the Jets

Aaron Rodgers agreed to restructure his contract with the Jets ahead of his first season with the team. The new deal will see Rodgers take a gargantuan $33.7 million pay cut, something the 39-year-old said was a show of his commitment to the franchise. 

Speaking with NBC Sports’s Peter King, Rodgers opened up on his decision to forgo such a significant chunk of salary for his new team.

“I thought it was important they knew how committed I was. And in my conversations with Joe [Douglas], he has made it very clear the vision for the football team,” said Rodgers. 

“This year, compared to like 2005, the amount of transactions that happen now with guys getting cut and the amount of trades—way more than before. Big names move at the trade deadline now. I wanted to make sure that if somebody valuable came available that we’d be able to get him. I’m very happy with the contract. I feel great about it.”

Rodgers, who was set to make nearly $110 million over the next two seasons, agreed to rework his deal. Instead, he signed a fully guaranteed two-year, $75 million contract. Under his new deal, Rodgers will carry a cap hit of just $8.88 million for the 2023 season. 

He’s hopeful that the $33.7 million he left on the table will enable New York to acquire some valuable pieces at the trade deadline as the team looks to contend for the Super Bowl. 

According to Over the Cap, the Jets currently have just under $16 million in cap space. The team has already been linked with former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, who visited the team this weekend.