Why Aaron Rodgers could spend at least two seasons with Jets

There's yet another sign that the New York Jets may have Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback for more than a single season. 

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported Thursday morning that Rodgers agreed to restructure the massive contract he signed with the Green Bay Packers in March 2022. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio has since offered more information about what could become the final status of that restructure. 

A "league source with knowledge of the situation" told Florio that "the Jets and Rodgers continue to tweak" the deal's terms and that "the end result could be that Rodgers will make a two-year commitment in order to earn the full amount of the $108M he’s due to make in 2023 and 2024 combined." 

Florio pointed out that the $58.3M option bonus for 2023 attached to Rodgers' contract was moved to 2024. 

"The Jets and Rodgers are currently trying to smooth out the two-year cash flow," Florio continued. "To make it happen, Rodgers would need to play for the next two years." 

It had been reported that one reason New York hadn't finalized the trade with Green Bay for Rodgers up through the end of last week was that Jets owner Woody Johnson was worried the 39-year-old could retire next winter, a decision that would make the future Hall of Famer an expensive one-year rental. While Rodgers raised eyebrows when he declined during his Jets introductory news conference to commit to playing beyond the 2023 season, he later suggested his New York stint "isn’t a one-and-done" and that he wants to continue his career "as long as it's fun." 

Rodgers noted in January he could walk away from millions of dollars because "money is energy" and he has already "made a ton of it." Pat McAfee later seemed to confirm in March that cash won't impact whether or not Rodgers plays at any point moving forward. 

Nevertheless, Rodgers restructuring his deal in a way that theoretically links him with the Jets through the end of the 2024 season would likely help ease Johnson's mind ahead of training camp.