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The New York Jets have shown quarterback Aaron Rodgers the door.
Now the work begins for general manager Darren Mougey.
Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn deciding to move on from the 41-year-old was the first bit of “big business” the duo had to figure out since being hired in New York. But contracts in the NFL are never that simple.
Mougey and the front office have to decide the parameters of how Rodgers will be released and the salary cap will play a part in that.
Essentially the Jets have two options.
The first would be cutting Rodgers now (or before June 1) and take on the entire $49 million dead cap hit his contract has attached to it in 2025. The other option on the table is to make him a post-June 1 cut, which means that big number will be split up between the next two years.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jets will be taking the second option:
This will likely be a post-June 1 release, I’m told, to help manage the cap hit. https://t.co/76qs033Soa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2025
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While the latter half is better in the short term and gives New York more cap space to work with in 2025, there will still be a cloud hanging over the team in 2026.
The argument for taking the much larger sum on the salary cap this offseason is the idea of “ripping off the bandage.” It’s one and done.
In terms of how the two-year split will go, SportsNet New York reports it’s a $14 million hit this year and then a jump up to $35M next offseason:
The #Jets are likely to make Aaron Rodgers a post June 1 cut. It’s a $14m cap hit this year & $35m next, instead of the full amount ($49m) this season. They don’t get the cap relief until after June 1, though.
Personally, I’d have taken the full amount this year, but the $35m…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) February 13, 2025
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There will be many factors that Mougey and the Jets will take into consideration when making their final decision. New York will hope the choice made is the correct one.
Jets Wire will provide updates as information is made available.