7-27-23 Bo Couch ~ Host of Football Talk
Aaron Rodgers taking a pay cut is something we haven't seen before from the 4 time MVP and it is something that I'm sure Packers fans are going to be upset about. During his time with the Packers, Rodgers signed a couple of contracts that made him the highest paid quarterback at the time of signing. Even when asked to restructure in the past he declined. But in moving to a new team and adjusting his contract when he arrived the Jets were looking at an absolutely crazy cap number for the 2024 season (north of 100m) This new restructuring will cost him roughly 35 million dollars and that is somewhat unexpected based on his history. Going into this season his cap hit is actually less than Zack Wilson and it has given the Jets the ability to resign guys like Williams as well as bring in other talent some of which were also from Green Bay. What is looking very promising for the Jets for then next couple years is leaving Packers fans wondering why he couldn't do this there and bring home another Lombardi Trophy.
To give some answer to that question the front office and Rodgers have had issues through the years. Between that, moving up to draft Love and some other sticking points along the way it gave Rodgers that chip on his shoulder that he plays so much better with. Add that with a team willing to bring in talent, has a top 5 defense he knows this is his best shot at a ring and to give that Green Bay front office the finger along the way. Fortunately for Packers fans they don't have to face the Jets this season because there is a chance that Love is their next guy the Jets are a much more complete team and would likely take down a young Green Bay team. One thing their fans can feel good about is their division is wide open. Detroit should be the odds on favorite but between suspensions and OTA injuries the Loins path becomes harder. The Vikings are set to take a step back not only did they move on from their star running back in Dalvin Cook but there was also almost no way they were going to duplicate winning 11 or 12 games by one possession, although still going to be a good team they probably win a few less games. The Bears are an unknown quantity because although we know Justin Fields is an elite runner his protection was bad enough we don't know how good of a QB he actually is. This leaves the door open to the Love led Packers to make a run at it if the chemistry is right.
The Jets on the other hand have a much harder path to not only win the Division but to even make the Playoffs. The Bills are still the team to beat although Allen did show some regression last season and the Diggs noise could prove to be a distraction. The Dolphins are a formidable division rival if Tua can stay healthy but that is the real Question and something that has plagued him even through college is staying on the field. The Pats are not a threat this season and will probably be a sub .500 team but in a stacked AFC finishing 3rd may not get them into the playoffs with teams like the Chargers and Titans that are going to be looking at that 7th seed. Rodgers is a clear upgrade from the disastrous quarterback play that left the Jets on the outside looking in last January. If they can finish ahead of the Phins they should be a lock for the playoff as at least two teams make it from this division but you are also going to have either the Ravens or Bengals in one of those wildcard spots too. There are going to be some good teams that miss post season in that conference. Rodgers taking this pay cut was necessary if they were going to be competitive and in a few weeks we'll get to see if it was enough.
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