Jets' 2023 Salary Cap Conundrum

Adding Aaron Rodgers would require Gang Green to shed salary elsewhere

Who is going to be the New York Jets' salary cap casualty?

If the Jets acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers today, they wouldn't have enough room to fit him in under the annual limit.

Rodgers' contract will reportedly count approximately $15.74 million against his team's allotment. According to Spotrac, Gang Green has a shade over $8 million in cap room when factoring in only the top-51 player salaries.

Once the Rodgers deal finally happens, general manager Joe Douglas and Co. will need to trim at least $10 million in commitments to remain salary cap compliant.

In addition to room for Rodgers, the Jets will need a small cushion to sign their draft picks to rookie contracts.

Media speculation suggests veterans Carl Lawson, Corey Davis and Jordan Whitehead are all possible "cut candidates" should the Jets need to unload salary in the coming months. According to Spotrac, those aforementioned players carry three of the team's top-six cap charges for the 2023 campaign.

Top 51 #NFL Cap Space

1. #Bears, $38M
2. #Panthers, $28M
3. #Lions, $25.5M
4. #Texans, $25M
5. #Packers, $22M
...
30. #Dolphins, $3.9M
31. #Commanders, $3.6M
32. #Vikings, $1.3Mhttps://t.co/va5OPwPJi6

— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 26, 2023

Lawson is set to count more than $15.73 million against the limit. Although critics claim his 2022 production was not on the level of a $15+ million per year player, it appears that the capable edge rusher is part of the team's plans moving forward.

"Pass rushers, they don’t grow on trees," said Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh during his press conference at the NFL Owners Meeting in late March. "Carl has a commodity, in this League, that's gold. So, he will be here as long as he can walk and play."

Lawson was unable to play in 2021 due to an Achilles’ tear that occurred in a preseason practice. Bouncing back by starting all 17 games, he accounted for 7.0 sacks and 24 quarterback hits while playing an estimated 58 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps in 2022.

As for Davis, who has underperformed the expectations that came with the wealthy three-year free-agent deal he received in 2021, he has slid further down the depth chart following the additions of receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman. Set to count more than $11 million against the Jets' $224.8 million allotment, Davis is coming off a 32-catch season during which he was targeted 64 times.

Whitehead's value dropped when Gang Green completed a trade for Baltimore Ravens' strong safety Chuck Clark. In 2022, Whitehead, a former fourth-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, started every game for Gang Green. He picked off two passes, but dropped four potential interceptions (according to Pro Football Focus).

It could be possible for the Jets to identify which high-paid veterans are willing to rework their contracts to alleviate their impact on the cap ahead of the 2023 season. One tactic becoming popular amongst NFL general managers is converting the player’s season salary to an up-front signing bonus and spreading that money out over the remainder of the contract.

The Jets already made three notable re-structures prior to the start of the new league year on March 15. Tight ends Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah along with guard Laken Tomlinson all lessened their cap hit for 2023.

The release of receiver/returner Braxton Berrios freed up $5 million last month per Spotrac.

READ MORE:

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'GMFB' Panelists Predict Rodgers Resolution before Jackson Saga Ends

Gang Green Hopes High-priced Veteran Carl Lawson Can Generate Pass Rush

Gang Green Gives Receivers' Room Off-season Makeover

Sports Illustrated Grades Jets atop AFC for Free Agency Frenzy Haul

Jets Country's 2023 Offseason Personnel Tracker