3 big trades Jets could make following Aaron Rodgers’ $35,000,000 pay cut
The New York Jets extended Aaron Rodgers' contract with the franchise following his trade, but in doing so, he helped the team massively after accepting a $35 million pay cut throughout his deal.
Rodgers said that, by taking less money, he wanted his team to be able to acquire big players midway through the season as they gear up for a playoff push, especially since big names are now being moved at the trade deadline, such as Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
With that in mind, here are three possible trades the Jets could make with more cap space available after Rodgers' extension:
#1 - Acquiring Budda Baker from the Cardinals
Obviously, the Rodgers trade was the one that matters, but the New York Jets made an excellent, underrated trade a month before by acquiring safety Chuck Clark from the Ravens by giving just a seventh-round pick.
And then he tore his ACL during OTAs.
The Jets signed Adrian Amos to fill the void, but there's a reason the Green Bay Packers felt so confident in letting him walk after the 2022 season. With Baker demanding a trade in Arizona, and with plenty of cap space available, Joe Douglas would be wise to try to acquire the star player in a position of need.
#2 - Acquiring Patrick Queen from the Ravens
It would be difficult to improve the group of linebackers before the season starts as there aren't many stars available here, but the Baltimore Ravens clearly aren't satisfied with Patrick Queen after trading for Roquan Smith and drafting Trenton Simpson.
With Queen available, they could use him next to C. J. Mosley and perhaps extend his deal a further period if he performs well with the change of scenery. He has enough athletic ability, but his time in Baltimore was a disappointment for everyone.
#3 - Acquiring Derrick Henry from the Titans
Listen, if we're thinking big, we're thinking big, right?
There's a star in the making in the Jets' backfield in Breece Hall, but he's coming from a serious knee injury and you never know how running backs return from ACL injuries.
With the Titans struggling throughout the year, while the Jets are flying high, Henry is in the last year of his deal. Even if you're trading for a running back, there's no need to pay him further, and his price would likely be low for a player of his caliber.
Using Rodger's pay cut wisely could prove to be the difference between a postseason run and a Super Bowl victory parade for the Jets.