It has been more than a year since Aaron Rodgers last played for the New York Jets, yet his contract continues to impact the organization, limiting salary cap flexibility and shaping the team’s decisions heading into 2026.
Rodgers spent 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping them reach the wild card round, but the Jets remain financially affected, with lingering dead cap from his contract creating restrictions on roster building and future signings.
Arriving in 2023 from the Green Bay Packers via trade, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury on his first play, immediately curbing New York’s return on investment and leaving long-term salary obligations that persist beyond his tenure.
“There’s been no deadline that’s been put in front of me,” Rodgers said earlier this offseason. “There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent.
“Enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the off season, and I think there’s conversations to be had down the line, but right now, there hasn’t been any progressive conversations. I love Mike [McCarthy], and Mike and I have kept some contact over the years.”
In 2024, Rodgers returned to start all 17 games, completing 368 of 584 passes for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, displaying his signature accuracy and leadership, but the Jets decided to release him, allowing him to sign a one-year deal with Pittsburgh worth $13.65 million.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that Rodgers and Justin Fields “are eating up $48 million in cap space (about 16%) because of ‘dead’ charges,” highlighting how New York remains financially constrained even though Rodgers no longer plays for the team.
Fields was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 second-round pick, but the Jets will still carry a $20 million cap hit for him in 2026, adding to $104 million in dead money from other contracts and further limiting roster flexibility.
Geno Smith is expected to start this season with a $3.3 million salary, showing the contrast between active payroll and the lingering financial burden from Rodgers’ previous contract obligations.
Even if Rodgers attempts one final Super Bowl run, the Jets‘ finances remain heavily affected, as dead money continues to constrain their roster flexibility and long-term salary cap strategy heading into 2026.
Will Rodgers return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL season?
Rodgers has yet to confirm whether he will play in 2026, leaving retirement a realistic consideration, and the Steelers are still awaiting his decision, with no formal deadline or contract offer in place, creating uncertainty around the veteran quarterback’s next steps.
He was recently seen with Steelers quarterback Will Howard at a charity flag football event in Orange County, California, hosted by the RX3 Foundation, which Rodgers co-founded to raise money for community programs while uniting NFL stars and local athletes for philanthropy.
Howard’s presence alongside Rodgers does not guarantee a contract, but it highlights their growing off-field bond, which could be valuable if Rodgers plays in 2026 and mentors the young quarterback behind him.
He does have the backing of the team after passing for 24 touchdowns and allowing just seven interceptions in the 2026 NFL season, but he has also warned he will head back to Green Bay to sign one final contract with the Packers in the future.
“I was there for 18 years,” Rodgers said. “Regardless of when I hang it up, that’s the bulk of my career. I’ll retire a Packer and see what happens after that.
“I’ve got a lot of love for the organization (and) my time there. They asked this week is it a revenge game or whatever. What do I got to be avenging here? They made me a ton of money.
“I grew up there, spent some of the best years of my life there. I’ve got nothing but love for the organization.”
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