Aaron Rodgers explains commitment to Jets past 2023 season

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently accepted a massive pay cut to pursue a Super Bowl title with the New York Jets and suggested Tuesday he's committed to the franchise well beyond the 2023 season.

"This is going to be a few years partnership," Rodgers said while speaking with media members, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "After that, hopefully, there’s not a huge cap issue. That’s why we didn’t backload it or put any kind of special escalator or strange things in the contract to weigh down the organization after I’m done playing." 

Rodgers essentially forfeited $35M originally owed to him via the extension he signed with the Green Bay Packers in March 2022. Rich Cimini of ESPN noted that Rodgers' new agreement includes four extra years for salary-cap purposes but won't necessarily keep the 39-year-old on the Jets active roster past the 2024 season. 

While Spotrac shows Rodgers has already earned over $300M total from just his NFL contracts, history has proven players in similar instances haven't always happily given small fortunes back to offer teams financial relief. He indicated Tuesday that putting the Jets first was a no-brainer. 

"There’s two caps. There’s the salary cap number, and there’s the cash," Rodgers explained. "There were a few of us who did some things cash-wise to open up some freedom there…I feel great about what I’m making." 

Rodgers added that he and Jets general manager Joe Douglas enjoyed "an easy conversation" that included no "stress points" before the necessary parties put pen to paper on the deal. 

"This to me is a win, win, win for everybody," Rodgers insisted.