Aaron Rodgers Open to Pay Cut in Jets Contract; QB Still Undecided on NFL Future

Aaron Rodgers says he will consider rejoining the New York Jets next season even if it means taking a pay cut and serving as a mentor to a new quarterback.

Rodgers added in a Monday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that he hasn't yet decided if he will be returning to the NFL in 2025.

"I think it was [ESPN's Rich Cimini] asked the question about, 'Would you be open if they wanted you to come back, and they said they wanted to draft again in the first round?' I said, 'Yeah, of course,'" Rodgers said.

Rodgers then took an apparent shot at the Green Bay Packers: "Wouldn't be the first time. I mean, maybe if they gave me a heads up, that would be the first time for that."

Rodgers added that he previously took on a mentorship role after the Packers drafted Jordan Love in 2020.

"I tried to help Jordan as much as possible, and if there is a situation where the new staff came in and wanted me to be there, also wanted to make a pick for the future and pick a quarterback and there was one there they really liked, of course," Rodgers said. "As far as pay cuts, I think I've already proven I'm willing to take a pay cut."

Rodgers is currently signed on for a cap hit of $23.5 million for 2025 with a $35 million option bonus due before the season, per Spotrac.

Rodgers noted that moving some of that money around could help the Jets keep both him and wide receiver Davante Adams in 2025.

Adams is currently slated to make more than $35 million over the next two seasons, an amount that means his most likely paths are to agree to a restructured contract or a release ahead of free agency (as noted by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.)

"I think if you look at both Davante and I's contracts moving forward for next year, there's cap numbers that would need to be worked around if they wanted to bring us both back," Rodgers said.

But Rodgers added that he remains both unsure of his desire to play in 2025 and the Jets' plans moving forward. The franchise has yet to replace general manager Joe Douglas or head coach Robert Saleh following their midseason dismissals.

"I'm guessing they're going to want to get a GM in here in the next few weeks, and then obviously the GM will be a part of making the coaching selection with who they want to go with, if they haven't made a decision," Rodgers said.

Rodgers added: "I think there's a world where they say, 'Hey, thank you, we're going to go in a different direction.'"

The Jets have struggled in Rodgers' first season with the team since the Achilles tear that ended his 2023 season after four snaps. The veteran quarterback has led the team to a 4-11 record while throwing for 3,511 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Although Rodgers has posted some of his best performances of the season in recent weeks by throwing for 545 yards and four touchdowns with no picks in his last two games, the Jets will miss the playoffs for a 14th straight season. That streak, the front office turnover and the fact that Rodgers turned 41 earlier this month could lead to significant changes under center in 2025.