Aaron Rodgers took a nearly $35 million pay cut to play for the New York Jets over the next two seasons. The reason behind Rodgers giving so much money to the organization should raise the blood pressure of Green Bay Packers fans.
While it’s true that Rodgers’ salary forced the Packers to make tough decisions regarding letting free agents leave Green Bay during the star quarterback’s tenure, there were obvious trust issues between Rodgers and management. Rodgers never liked that the Packers’ front office never gave him wide receivers in the first round.
All bets were off when the Green Bay Packers drafted Jordan Love over a talent like Justin Jefferson. Rodgers won back-to-back MVPs, took his money before the 2022 season, and didn’t look back.
Until he was traded to the Jets.
But why is Rodgers more willing to work with the Jets’ front office on making the salary cap work? Maybe it’s because he has more trust in the Jets organization than he did with the Packers during his final seasons there.
Aaron Rodgers took a pay cut so the New York Jets could make moves
According to a report by Mike Florio with NBC Sports, Rodgers told Peter King that the salary he gave up this week was to give the Jets an opportunity to add players around the trade deadline:
“There’s another wrinkle to this. Rodgers told Peter King that the extra cash and cap space will allow the Jets to be competitive when it comes to adding players at the trade deadline. That’s something the Packers routinely pondered in recent years with Rodgers on the team, but never pulled off.
So if the Jets are contenders and when other teams aren’t — and if those other teams have great players who would be inclined to chase a ring — maybe the Jets can use some of that $33.7 million to go get him. Or maybe them.”
The Green Bay Packers didn’t give Aaron Rodgers what he wanted
Rodgers held out hope for much of last season that the Packers would add a player like Odell Beckham Jr. or could trade for a wide receiver before the deadline. Rodgers was even foolishly holding out that the Packers could trade for a pass catcher after the 2022 trade deadline.
The Packers never made those late-season acquisitions to help the team make a Super Bowl run. Why would Rodgers want to give up his salary if he didn’t trust the Packers’ front office to spend it the way he thought they should?
Rodgers doesn’t have that problem in New York. The Jets have given Rodgers players he’s familiar with and appear ready to give him even more.
Back in the Midwest, the Packers are giving Rodgers’ successor, Jordan Love, a similar situation that drove Rodgers mad toward the end of his career there. The Packers have rookies and second-year players as Love’s options to throw to this season. And days after Packers president Mike Murphy said Love has half a season to show his worth, general manager Brian Gutekunst, said Love will do it without a veteran wide receiver this season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Aaron Rodgers and Miles Teller friends?
Yes, Aaron Rodgers and Miles Teller are friends. Their friendship has been described as a "bromance" by Aaron Rodgers' wife, Keleigh Sperry. Keleigh shared this information with Page Six, indicating that the two have enjoyed a close and enduring relationship.
Is Aaron Rodgers diabetic?
Yes, Aaron Rodgers was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 17. However, he didn't let it stop him from pursuing his dreams of becoming a professional football player. Through determination and effective management strategies, Rodgers has excelled in both his football career and personal life.
3 Comments
Rodgers certainly didn’t do any favors for Green Bay with a team friendly contract to bring in other talent (like Brady who made his money through endorsements) and let’s be honest on the wide receivers. Jefferson (22) and Aiyuk (25) were off the board before the Packers picked at 26 (Love). Were they hoping one of them would drop? Maybe. Did they feel like they were stuck with the pick and wouldn’t get the value back for trading down? Maybe (egos are present in the NFL). We’ll never know. Regardless, so what Rodgers didn’t get a first found WR? He had Adams, Nelson, Jennings, Cobb, Jones, etc. All of that said, he did bring a lot of winning years to Green Bay, the defense rarely kept up their end of the deal in playoff games (although the 2021 playoff loss to the 49ers I would put on him…10 points?), and he was 24-5 against the Bears (suck it Bears, we remember the 80’s).
I am beyond happy that Aaron Rodgers is no longer a distraction in Green Bay. I will also be watching MLS and other real football leagues this Fall, so in the end, who gives an “F”?
Since he took a paycut for this year, should the Packers get a rebate on the cap for this year?