Animosity was palpable during Aaron Rodgers' final two seasons with the Packers, but it was clear from the moment he was traded to the Jets that he was all-in.
Rodgers took a significant discount shortly after landing in New York, generating even more anticipation for a franchise that badly needed a jolt. All of that energy disappeared when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in his first game with the team, but the end of his season didn't mean the end of his time with the Jets.
Rodgers spent this past offseason getting himself in game shape without having to worry about working out a new contract, and the hope is one fewer distraction could make a real difference for the Jets.
Here's what you need to know about Rodgers' contract and where he ranks among the highest-paid quarterbacks in 2024.
MORE: Week 3 Power Rankings | Week 3 NFL picks | Week 3 NFL picks against the spread
Aaron Rodgers contract details
Rodgers is in the second year of what is effectively a three-year, $112.5 million contract.
Rodgers' original deal signed with the Packers in 2022 was for three years and just north of $150 million, which made him the NFL's highest-paid quarterback at the time. Rodgers and the Jets reworked the deal after he was traded, with the former MVP giving up $37.5 million in total to slash his cap hit each season. The Jets failed to put an insurance policy in that deal, meaning the team did not regain any money when Rodgers injured his Achilles in 2023. The insurance policy would not have affected Rodgers' pay in any way, but it could have saved the Jets some money.
Rodgers makes an average of $37.5 million per year on the deal, which voids after 2025. His cap hit for 2024 is just $17.2 million per year. The Jets will feel the effects of the deal even after it ends, as Rodgers' cap hit is spread out through 2029.
MORE: Jets' DE Jermaine Johnson reacts to season-ending injury as tears were shed
When does Aaron Rodgers' contract end?
Rodgers' contract automatically voids after the 2025 season, so the Jets can have him back at a potentially discounted rate for one more season.
Will Rodgers want to continue playing in 2025? He considered retirement while with the Packers and admitted he wasn't sure about his football future in the immediate aftermath of his Achilles tear, but more recent comments by the Jets QB indicate he's at least open to playing in 2025.
"I'm hopeful I can play two or three or four more years, but you need to have some good fortune in there, too," Rodgers said on the "Look Into It" podcast in March.
That means a healthy, successful season for Rodgers could be enough to convince him to keep playing. Another injury, or a healthy but disappointing season, could very well change his mind.
The Jets have a long way to go before they start thinking about Rodgers' future, but after searching for a solution at quarterback for so long, they're certainly thrilled to hear they might not have to go back to square one in 2025.
MORE: Aaron Rodgers' recovery timeline from torn Achilles
NFL highest-paid quarterbacks
Here are the top 20 quarterbacks by average annual salary:
| Rank | Player | Average salary | Team |
| 1 | Dak Prescott | $60 million | Cowboys |
| 2 | Joe Burrow | $55 million | Bengals |
| 2 | Trevor Lawrence | $55 million | Jaguars |
| 2 | Jordan Love | $55 million | Packers |
| 5 | Tua Tagovailoa | $53.1 million | Dolphins |
| 6 | Jared Goff | $53 million | Lions |
| 7 | Justin Herbert | $52.5 million | Chargers |
| 8 | Lamar Jackson | $52 million | Ravens |
| 9 | Jalen Hurts | $51 million | Eagles |
| 10 | Kyler Murray | $46.1 million | Cardinals |
| 11 | Deshaun Watson | $46 million | Browns |
| 12 | Kirk Cousins | $45 million | Falcons |
| 12 | Patrick Mahomes | $45 million | Chiefs |
| 14 | Josh Allen | $43 million | Bills |
| 15 | Daniel Jones | $40 million | Giants |
| 15 | Matthew Stafford | $40 million | Rams |
| 17 | Derek Carr | $37.5 million | Saints |
| 17 | Aaron Rodgers | $37.5 million | Jets |
| 19 | Baker Mayfield | $33.3 million | Buccaneers |
| 20 | Geno Smith | $25 million | Seahawks |
Rodgers is tied with New Orleans' Derek Carr as the 17th-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
There are caveats to the list of the highest-paid quarterbacks, as some contracts listed don't actually kick in until 2025. That group includes Dak Prescott and Jordan Love, who signed new deals ahead of this season.
Patrick Mahomes is also ranked low at $45 million per year, though he restructured his deal in 2023 to make just over $52 million per year through 2026 before almost certainly working out a new contract with the Chiefs.
Nevertheless, Rodgers comes at a massive bargain for the Jets if he can get anywhere close to his production from 2020 and 2021. The four-time MVP is making $8.5 million less than Deshaun Watson and $2.5 million less than Daniel Jones.
New York will soon be looking to extend top talent from its 2022 draft class, and Rodgers' discount should help make those deals possible.