The New York Jets officially cut Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With the move, Gang Green will take on $49 million in dead money over the next two years. By designating him as a post-June 1 cut, they will carry his $21 million cap hit until that date, when it then drops to $14 million, which saves the team $7 million. Next year, though, they will take on a $35 million cap hit.
It allows Rodgers to officially become a free agent, where there are already suitors lined up and a decision appears to be imminent. The New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are believed two of the favorites to land him.
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The Jets have already found Rodgers’ replacement in Justin Fields, who they signed to a three-year, $40 million deal on Monday. The 25-year-old started the first six games of the 2024 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers before Russell Wilson returned. During that stretch, he went 4-2 and recorded 10 total touchdowns (five rushing and five passing), threw just one interception, lost one fumble, amassed 1,106 yards through the air, ran for an additional 231, and completed 65.8% of his attempts with a passer rating of 93.3.
For now, he will be the main man under center for the Jets’ new leadership regime of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. The duo made it known shortly after their arrival last month that they would be moving on from Rodgers, who completed 63% of his passes last season for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
