Does Aaron Rodgers have a no-trade clause? Analyzing holdup between Jets-Packers trade
The saga of Aaron Rodgers officially becoming a member of the Jets doesn't seem to have an ending in sight. A major question is why the four-time NFL MVP hasn't been traded to New York. To be clear, Rodgers doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract. Yet, the Packers aren't going to move him someplace he doesn't want to be.
One possible hiccup in getting a trade done is Aaron Rodgers' contract. The Green Bay Packers made Rodgers the league's first $50 million per year player last March once he decided he wanted to stay with the franchise as opposed to forcing a trade. The 10-time Pro Bowler is set to make $59.515 million this upcoming season.
Another holdup is the compensation that the Packers are seeking from the New York Jets. Rodgers is 39 years old and is coming off one of the worst seasons of his 18-year career last season. His 12 interceptions in 2022 were the most since the 2008 season, his first year as Green Bay's full-time starter.
In the 2019 to 2021 seasons, Rodgers threw 13 interceptions combined. His 91.1 passer rating was also the lowest of his career. The 217.4 passing yards per game were also a career low for him. Throw in the fact that his career is on a year-on-year basis on top of his contract complicates a trade in terms of compensation.
According to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, he would ideally want some premier picks for Aaron Rodgers.
Gutekunst said:
"I want all the picks. I think that’s not a necessity, but at the same time, the value of the player – he’s a premier player, so getting premier picks back for (premier) players is important."
Will Jets general manager Joe Douglas be willing to give the Packers a first-rounder either this year or in 2024 in an Aaron Rodgers trade?
What does reasonable compensation look like in a trade for Rodgers?
According to former sports agent Joel Corry, he would move the current Packers star in exchange for some second-round picks instead of multiple first-rounders.
Corry said:
"As a general manager, I would feel comfortable giving up a 2023 second-round pick and a conditional 2024 second-round pick for Rodgers. The 2024 pick could become a first-round pick, with Rodgers taking at least 80% of offensive snaps during the regular season.
"I would want a conditional 2025 second-round pick in return from the Packers that voids if Rodgers plays a second season for the team in 2024."
The question is will the Packers settle for what Corry alluded to or will they hold out for a guaranteed first-round pick from the Jets? Another matter is that of the contract.
Impact of taking on Aaron Rodgers' contract
The acquiring team, in this case, the Jets, will take on the rest of Aaron Rodgers' contract, including the right to exercise their options for this year and 2024. New York will have a $15.79 million cap hit this upcoming season for the quarterback.
This would consist a $14.575 million option proration bonus, his $1.165 million base salary and a $50K workout bonus. Rodgers' 2024, 2025 and 2026 cap numbers would be $32.5 million, $51.1 million and $45.3 million, respectively.
The option would surely be exercised since his 2023 cap number becomes a $59.515 million cap hit if it isn't. For Joe Douglas, the compensation could center around how much of Rodgers' salary the Jets will take on this season and beyond.
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