Jets react to Aaron Rodgers' contract 'sacrifice'

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers became even more popular among those associated with the New York Jets by taking a massive pay cut to pursue a Super Bowl title with the franchise over the next two seasons. 

"I think it says a lot when the best player on your football team -- a Hall of Famer -- is willing to sacrifice something because he wants to win, which is ultimately what we're all here to do," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said about Rodgers on Thursday, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. "This was Aaron. Aaron wanted to do this."

It was learned Wednesday that Rodgers essentially scrapped the contract extension he signed with the Green Bay Packers in March 2022 and instead put pen to paper on a two-year deal that includes $75M in guarantees when he had roughly $110M guaranteed remaining on the original extension. Before details of the new agreement leaked, Rodgers told reporters that the Jets "gave up significant pieces for it to just be a one-year deal" and said he doesn't view his New York tenure "as a one-year-and-done thing."

His move allows the Jets to go after free agents such as star running back Dalvin Cook before the upcoming campaign. Of course, Rodgers won't be hurting for money despite his latest business decision, as Spotrac shows the 39-year-old has earned over $300M from just his NFL contracts over his career. 

"Yeah, there's money and fame and that good stuff, but at the end of the day, we're all happy when we win," Saleh added about Rodgers. "For him to look at this organization, from the outside looking in, and feel like we're doing a lot of things the right way...For him to take a shot on us, I think it speaks volumes. We're grateful for that."

Jets tight end Tyler Conklin told Cimini he and others feel that Rodgers sent a message about wanting to win a Super Bowl with the franchise between now and February 2025. 

"For him to be willing to do that and allow us to go out and get players, whatever position it might be, it's awesome," Conklin explained.

Meanwhile, safety Jordan Whitehead praised Rodgers for putting "the team first" instead of taking money he could've easily collected. 

"He sees how good the team can be." Whitehead continued. 

Rodgers allegedly began considering a move to the Jets as far back as last fall, and the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player may have given his new employer up to a three-year commitment in prior talks. Most, if not all, Jets fans would accept even a single season of Rodgers serving as the club's QB1 if that campaign ended with a Super Bowl parade this winter.