Aaron Rodgers commits to NFL retirement plan with new contract agreement

26 July 2023 , 16:02

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Aaron Rodgers is reported to have restructured his contract with the New York Jets (Image: Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers has reportedly worked with the New York Jets to restructure his contract ahead of the new season.

The veteran quarterback was traded to the Jets from the Green Bay Packers just days before the 2023 NFL Draft. Rodgers ended his 18-year career in Wisconsin to make the switch to MetLife Stadium.

Last year, Rodgers signed a three-year $150 million (£116 million) with the Packers before seeking a trade with the Jets. It was later reported that a $58.3 million (£45 million) option bonus payable in 2023 was converted into a 2024 base salary by Rodgers and the Packers before his trade.

In the process, that means he will make the base-salary minimum, $1.165 million (£900,000), this season, which will be his cap charge. However, that also meant that Rodgers would be due a compensation package of $107.55 million (£83.17 million) in 2024.

Now, according to , an agreement has been reached in principle for Rodgers to have his deal restructured. The report does not say the exact details of the deal, and it is still not signed, but it has been agreed by all parties.

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Rodgers still has two years left on the contract that he initially signed with the Packers which was picked up by the Jets. There have been rumours that the 39-year-old could call time on his NFL career after just one season with his new team.

However, the veteran QB eased those fears last week when explaining his commitment to the organisation after they put their faith in bringing him to the franchise. His decision to restructure appears to indicate a financial commitment to play on beyond this season just as he stated last week.

"The Jets gave up a lot for me, so to just play one year would be a disservice," Rodgers told ESPN on July 22. "Now if that one year turns out to be a magical year, who knows? It's more than that. It's how my body feels, and I've made some changes this offseason with some training and diet."

Aaron Rodgers signed a three-year contract with the Green Bay Packers in 2022 before being traded to the New York Jets (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Jets head coach Robert Saleh was also asked about Rodgers’ long-term future in the NFL and with the franchise. He backed his new quarterback to continue playing for years to come.

"I don't want to back him into a corner and make him commit to something like that," Saleh said last week. "I just want him to have fun and know that when he walks in this building to let loose and have a little bit of fun, BS with the guys, come in the office, come talk to us and just enjoy playing football.

"Odds are if you enjoy playing football, you're going to want to keep doing it. I wouldn't put pressure on him to commit to something like that anyway, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't play multiple years. He looks like a little kid out there."

Mark Wakefield