Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers for a prolonged 18-years tenure. His ending with the Packers didn’t go well as the franchise was leaning towards Jordan Love and A-Rod too was adamant about leaving Green Bay after returning from the darkness retreat. However, his new journey with the New York Jets appears to be going pretty well till now.
The Jets players and front office members have been frequently heaping praise on the four-time MVP due to his immense interest in shaping the team’s young players as well as his on-field performance in the practice session. The signal-caller is also ‘reportedly’ doing everything to gain the trust of his new team.
Rodgers’ restructured contract secures future with Jets
The Los Angeles Chargers Justin Herbert just became the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by signing his massive five-year, $262.5 million extension and the Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow is reportedly on the way to breaking the record in the upcoming days.
However, Aaron has cut himself from the run and instead, he restructured his contract with the Jets to accept a pay cut. He reworked a two-year, $75 million guaranteed contract with the franchise, per an insider familiar with the deal. The move would save New York approximately $35 million on their new QB1’s salary over the next two seasons.
Following his training camp with Gang Green, the signal-caller said he is aware of the Jets’ sacrifices to enroll him in their roster and hence, he emphasized his intentions to play more than one season in New York, per Rich Cimini of ESPN,
“The team gave up significant pieces for it to just be a one-year deal. I’m aware of that. … Anything could happen with my body or the success we have this year, but I’m having a blast, so I really don’t see this as a one-year-and-done thing.”
"I'm having a blast. I don't see this as a one year and done thing."
– Aaron Rodgers pic.twitter.com/AiuGGVZZtv
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) July 26, 2023
New York traded a second-round pick, a sixth-round pick along with a conditional 2024 second-round pick that could become a first-round selection as well as a first-round pick swap in 2023 to sign the Packers’ former veteran.
Jets HC Robert Saleh impressed by Aaron Rodgers
The Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh has been seen raving about the 10-time Pro-Bowler rather frequently and after watching the QB at a recent practice, he couldn’t help himself from once again praising the veteran for the immense experience and incredible athleticism he brought to Big Apple,
“This guy glows in the dark. He’s a pretty damn good quarterback. Aaron Rodgers just gets rid of the ball so fast. He’s so fast. After 18 years, he knows exactly where the ball needs to go and how it needs to get there. He has autonomy to change any play he wants. We’re getting a doctorate degree in terms of QB play from him.”
No surprise here.@AaronRodgers12 has his head coach impressed. pic.twitter.com/Q7pA76TdgZ
— NFL (@NFL) July 26, 2023
Even after the team’s practice on Friday, Saleh said he doesn’t want to pressurize the ex-Packers dual-threat to stay longer in New York, albeit the HC said he would be shocked if Aaron doesn’t stay with the franchise for multiple years,
“I don’t want to back him into a corner and make him commit to something like that…I wouldn’t put pressure on him to commit to something like that anyway, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play for multiple years. He looks like a little kid out there.”
Both Rodgers and the Jets are showcasing outstanding commitment ahead of the new season. Now it remains to be seen if the 39-year-old veteran can lead the franchise to end their prolonged Super Bowl drought.
