MOBILE, Ala. — Aaron Rodgers is probably the most talked about quarterback in the league who won’t be playing on Super Bowl Sunday. And speculation about his future will only heat up once the big game is complete. So what’s the latest word on where Rodgers will be playing in 2023?
NFL News and Rumors: Are the Jets Focused In on a Trade for Aaron Rodgers?
Last week from Shrine Bowl practice, PFN reported that the New York Jets will make a move to acquire Aaron Rodgers in a trade this offseason. That has been further confirmed here in Mobile.
In fact, one source said that general manager Joe Douglas is admitting to people in the league the franchise will go all out in the attempt to bring Rodgers to Gang Green. And it only makes sense.
The team is in desperate need of a signal-caller, with Zach Wilson looking more and more like a draft bust. Factor in owner Woody Johnson’s comments not long ago that he’d be willing to pay whatever is necessary for a quarterback, and it all adds up.
Who Else Could Make a Move for Rodgers?
Enter the Las Vegas Raiders.
During Shrine Bowl week, a source told PFN that receiver Davante Adams is lobbying hard to bring Rodgers to the Raiders. That was further confirmed this week. Adams was twice a first-team All-Pro receiver and five-time Pro Bowler with Rodgers as his quarterback.
With Derek Carr on his way out of Las Vegas, the Raiders, like the Jets, will be a franchise in need of a quarterback. The question is, can the Vegas franchise find room under the salary cap to bring Rodgers to town?
Many I’ve spoken with tell me yes — and illustrated how it can be done.
Per Over the Cap, the Raiders are currently projected to be $19.78 million under the salary cap. That number is significant because of the way Rodgers’ contract is structured and that his post-trade cap number for the new team would be $15.8 million. The reason it is so low is that the Packers would retain the remainder of the pro-rated signing bonus and the remaining restructure money, totaling $40.31 million.
As Rodgers’ current contract stands, the cap numbers for the Raiders over the next few years would be:
- 2023: $15.79 million
- 2024: $32.50 million
- 2025: $51.10 million
- 2026: $45.53 million
A bigger issue for the Raiders than the salary cap impact might actually be about the cash owed to Rodgers in 2023 and 2024. He has a fully guaranteed option bonus of $58.3 million that must be exercised before Week 1 of the 2023 season. Then there is another $47 million option bonus set for 2024.
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By acquiring Rodgers, the Raiders would be taking on a deal that is set to pay out $108.82 million in cash over the next two years. Over the course of the potential remaining four years, there is still $144.67 million in terms of cash owed to Rodgers. The Raiders could look to restructure the deal and move money around, but any significant changes would need agreement from Rodgers.
People also believe Rodgers would play the Jets against the Raiders to procure a better deal for himself. This is for sure — you can expect a lot more talk on Rodgers and where he’ll end up as we head toward March.