Room for Rodgers? Jets free $15.2M in cap space
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Preparing for free agency and the possible addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have created $15.2 million in salary cap room by restructuring three veteran contracts.
They reworked the contracts of three players from their 2022 free agent class: guard Laken Tomlinson, cornerback D.J. Reed and tight end Tyler Conklin, a source told ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday.
Previously, the Jets restructured the contract of tight end C.J. Uzomah, another member of the 2022 class, and released wide receiver Braxton Berrios.
All told, the cap savings total more than $23 million. The Jets had to make the moves because they were slightly over the $224.8 million cap. Teams must be cap compliant by Wednesday, the start of the new league year.
And now they wait for Rodgers to make a decision on his future. He can request a trade to the Jets, retire or return to the Green Bay Packers, an option that seems unlikely.
Speaking with former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall at a charity flag football event in California, Rodgers said it “won’t be long” before he makes a decision on his NFL future.
“Stay tuned. I think it won’t be long,” Rodgers said in a video published late Saturday. “There’s a time limit for all this.”
Both the Jets and Packers would like to have a resolution by the start of free agency. The legal tampering period begins Monday.
Jets brass, including owner Woody Johnson, flew to Southern California on Tuesday to meet with Rodgers. On Friday, Packers president Mark Murphy confirmed the team had granted permission to the Jets to speak with the four-time MVP.
Rodgers was complimentary of his meeting with the Jets and owner Woody Johnson, telling Marshall, “It’s always interesting meeting important figures in the sport.”
Meanwhile, the Jets could make more moves. Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley ($21.5 million cap) is a candidate to have his contract restructured. Wide receiver Corey Davis ($11.2 million) and safety Jordan Whitehead ($10.2 million) could be cap casualties.
To rework the Tomlinson, Reed and Conklin contracts, the Jets converted 2023 base salaries into signing bonuses, prorating the amount over the final two years of the contracts. No void years were added, and each player is signed through 2024.
