Aaron Rodgers’ Contract Saga: Earth-shaking moves; Jets make huge quarterback decision over….See Details

Aaron Rodgers was traded to the Jets in April 2023 in an operation that included the Packers’ first—and fifth-round selections in the 2023 Draft. However, the four-time MVP ruptured his Achilles tendon on his debut against the Bills, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

The numbers at the center of his move to New York were eye-opening, to say the least.

Rodgers’ massive payday in 2024

In exchange for Rodgers, the Jets had to cough up the No. 13 overall pick in the draft, a second-round pick (No. 42), a sixth-round pick (No. 207), and a conditional 2024 second-round pick. Believe it or not, they also had to let go of the No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-round pick (No. 170).

The 40-year-old signed a three-year, $112,500,000 contract with the Jets, including $75,000,000 guaranteed and an average annual salary of $37,500,000. In 2024, he will earn a base salary of $3,161,112 and a signing bonus of $35,000,000.

Now, this is where things get interesting. Before his move to the Jets, Rodgers was just about to embark on the second year of the three-year, $150 million contract that he signed with the Packers in the summer of 2022. Logically, there were two years and a total of $108.7 million remaining on that deal. How that money was allocated, however, is worth considering.

Reports indicated that the Packers converted Rodgers’ $58.3 million 2023 option bonus into a 2024 salary. In other words, he would have theoretically stood to pocket a whopping $107.55 million this year.

Why did the Jets agree to such a deal?

Reports suggested it was the only way the Jets could accommodate Rodgers on their roster. To that end, it’s worth noting that by agreeing to sign the restructured agreement, Rodgers withsaved his old team roughly $14.6 million in cap space. That’s quite a parting gift.

To be clear, there is no way that the Jets would have been able to facilitate such a financial hit – $107.55 million for last season.

In July 2023, Rodgers signed a reworked contract with a significant pay cut. This year, he will earn a base salary of $3,161,112 and a bonus of $35,000,000 – a detail in his contract that will also apply next year.

Rodgers is set to make his comeback tonight against the 49ers – just as Netflix announced details about a new documentary centered around the QB’s road to recovery, ‘Enigma’, which will premiere in December.