Less than a day after asking for sports media members to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination information, Aaron Rodgers is making news once again.
The four-time NFL MVP and New York Jets quarterback told The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt on Wednesday that he will take some time after the end of the season to decide on his future ‘unless [he gets] released right away.’
This is nothing new for Rodgers. After the 2022 NFL season, his last with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers spent four days in a ‘darkness retreat’ to decide whether to return for a 19th NFL season or retire.
Rodgers is the oldest player in the NFL and just turned 41 years old on Dec. 2. He had one of his best games of the season in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but is having one of his worst seasons as a full-time NFL starter. He’s on pace for a career-worst passer rating and close to career-lows in completion percentage and yards per game.
If he takes time away to decide his future, the Jets could end up moving on. The team already have general manager and head coach vacancies to fill this offseason. Here’s what to know about their options for handling Rodgers’ future.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Can the Jets release Aaron Rodgers?
Yes, but at a high cost, per OverTheCap data. If the Jets release Rodgers before June 1, 2025, New York will carry $74.5 million in dead money on the salary cap. If they release him after June 1, 2025, that number goes down to $4.5 million.
Can the Jets trade Aaron Rodgers?
Rodgers has a no-trade clause in his contract. It’s a relatively common part of contracts for starting quarterbacks in the NFL. It means he has to agree to a trade and waive that clause before the Jets can deal him to a different team.
Aaron Rodgers contract
In 2025, here’s what Rodgers is set to make:
- Base salary: $2.5 million
- Signing bonus: $14 million
- Other bonus: $7 million
- Total cap hit: $23.5 million
There are four void years tacked onto the contract Rodgers signed with the Jets prior to the 2023 NFL season. As it currently stands, Rodgers will cost $63 million against the Jets’ salary cap in 2026. For 2027 through 2029, he will not count against the cap, but the team will owe him bonuses in this layout:
- 2027: $21 million ($14 million signing bonus, $7 million other bonus)
- 2028: $14 million ($7 million signing bonus, $7 million other bonus)
- 2029: $7 million (other bonus only)
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.