Aaron Rodgers was “90% retired” before his darkness retreat recently. But after the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers agreed on terms to trade for the four-time league MVP, a contract conversion practically guarantees the Jets’ new QB will also be under center for the team in 2024.
Dan Graziano reported that the Packers converted Rodgers’ $53.8 million option bonus for 2023 into his 2024 salary. That means he’s scheduled to make $1.165 million in 2023 and a whopping $107.55 million in 2024.
Aaron Rodgers Contract Restructure: We’re Likely Just Getting Started
Although a restructuring before the 2024 NFL season is a certainty for the Jets and Rodgers, the most likely outcome is the two sides meet to discuss terms during this offseason. In fact, it would be shocking not to see the two sides come to some sort of agreement because there is almost no way the veteran QB will be playing on the veteran minimum this season.
NFL contracts are complicated because of their nature. But this move helps both teams moving forward. According to Graziano, because the money got moved before the trade was executed, Rodgers is set to make the minimum this season. It also means that the Packers won’t owe anything to Rodgers past this season.
The Jets were supposed to pick up roughly $15.7 million of Rodgers’ cap hit, but now will only be on the hook for $1.2 million until they and Rodgers restructure his deal once again.
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But as of now, the New York QB has over $100 million in fully guaranteed money coming his way in 2024. And while the money seems astronomically low in 2023, that money will reach Rodgers’ pockets in 2024 as long as he doesn’t retire.
In essence, the Packers’ restructure gave the Jets even more assurance that the 39-year-old wouldn’t be a one-year wonder on their roster. That, if we remember, was a sticking point in trade talks. At least, that’s what Yahoo’s Charles Robinson believed.
“They sort of had trade parameters worked out, and then when Aaron went on [The Pat McAfee Show] and said, ‘I’m 90% retired’ or ‘I was 90% retired when I went into the darkness retreat,’ I think it scared Woody.”
And while he wouldn’t give the media a straight answer during his introductory press conference, Rodgers showed commitment to the Jets for “the foreseeable future.”
“I’m going to be here for the foreseeable future…Right now, I’m just going to focus on this season, and I’m excited about being here,” he said.