• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 2, 2025

Clues Emerge in Jets’ $49 Million Aaron Rodgers Decision

A report suggests that new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn would be “open to” Aaron Rodgers returning.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) may have played his last game for Gang Green, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.
Imagn Images

The tea leaves are turning in the saga of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

The Jets hired Aaron Glenn—who previously played eight seasons as defensive back for the team and most recently was defensive coordinator for the Lions—as their new head coach last week. Glenn’s first order of business will be to collaborate with new GM Darren Mougey and owner Woody Johnson on what to do about the $49 million decision the team faces with Rodgers. 

On NFL Network Sunday morning, insider Ian Rapoport said Glenn and Rodgers are both “open” to the quarterback returning for a third season with the Jets. Later in the morning, Fox Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer relayed a conversation he had with Glenn about the topic. 

“I plan to go meet with Aaron Rodgers and will definitely come up with a decision much sooner than later. I don’t wanna drag this out,” the coach told Glazer.

At his introductory press conference Monday, Glenn revealed he has been texting with Rodgers. “As we continue to look at the roster, we will make decisions accordingly, and that’s with a number of people on the team,” Glenn said

During the press conference Monday, Johnson said he’d leave Rodgers’s status up to the coach and GM and would be amenable to a return if that’s what they decided.

From a cash-flow perspective, the Jets would owe Rodgers a $35 million roster bonus and $2.5 million base pay if they bring him back on his current deal. Based on money already paid out from his signing bonus, Rodgers would carry a $49 million dead-cap hit if the Jets trade or release him this offseason. That could be spread over two years if they designate his release as post–June 1, or the Jets could eat it all in 2025 like the Broncos did with Russell Wilson’s whopping $85 million dead-cap hit this past season. (Dead cap is the result of money front-loaded to players in bonuses that affects the team’s cap space when future years of the contract get voided.) 

Rodgers, 41, would be the oldest quarterback in the NFL. While the Jets went 5–12 this year, Rodgers had pretty good raw stats, throwing for 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, and completing 63% of his passes. This campaign followed a season in which Rodgers played just four snaps before tearing his Achilles in the Jets’ season opener against the Bills in 2023. 

Nevertheless, the idea that he might return represents something of a pivot from where things stood before the end of the regular season when the general consensus among Jets reporters was that the team was unlikely to run it back with Rodgers. 

For Rodgers to return, he would have to buy into a new offensive system. The Jets have not yet hired a new offensive coordinator for Glenn’s staff. 

The logic of bringing back Rodgers would hinge on several factors. The team was unlucky this past season, including losing a number of games due to kicking woes. At $37 million in cash outlays, Rodgers is relatively affordable given the current quarterback market. There are also no obvious contenders who’d be seen as an immediate upgrade. Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson are free agents, but neither is clearly a better option than Rodgers for next season. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi statue outside of Lambeau Field prior to the game between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers.

Publicly Owned Packers Make a Rare Leadership Change

Ed Policy will lead the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA), left, defeats Gabby Thomas (USA) to win the women's 200m, 21.99 to 22.10, during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field.

Grand Slam Track Investigating Man Saying He Heckled Gabby Thomas to Win..

The league announced a “full investigation into the reprehensible behavior.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks after giving his annual State of the State address on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Springfield.

Illinois Passes New Sports Betting Tax in Middle of the Night

This is the second straight year Illinois approved a tax increase on sportsbooks.
Jun 1, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Danny Musovski (19), midfielder Obed Vargas (18) and midfielder Paul Rothrock (14) wear t-shirts to protest FIFA Club World Cup bonus sharing from MLS while participating in pregame warmups against the Minnesota United at Lumen Field.

Seattle Sounders Protest Tiny Share of Club World Cup Prize Money

Players are set to share $1 million of the $1 billion purse.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

Verstappen Nears F1 Suspension After ‘Mario Kart’–Style Mayhem

The Red Bull driver received penalty points in Sunday’s race.
Cousins
May 27, 2025

Kirk Cousins, James Cook Among Prominent NFL OTA Absences

The NFL’s 2024 rushing touchdowns leader was among the absences Tuesday.
John Haliburton
May 28, 2025

John Haliburton’s Brief Ban Ends With Pacers on Brink of Finals

John Haliburton was sitting in a suite instead of his usual courtside seat. 
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 27, 2025

Dodgers’ Biggest Deadline Pickup Might Already Be in L.A.

Ohtani faces batters as a pitcher for the first time in 21 months.
Russian hockey
May 27, 2025

Russia Still Banned From 2026 Winter Olympics, IOC Confirms

Russia men’s hockey won gold and silver in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
May 27, 2025

How Much Do NFL Agents Make?

We dive into what agents make at American football’s highest level.
May 26, 2025

Caitlin Clark Injury Is Speed Bump Early in WNBA Season

Clark will miss at least four games based on the timeline.