Releasing Aaron Rodgers before June 1 would be a rash decision by the next York Jets, shackling the next general manager with a severe 2025 salary cap penalty.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic speculated in “What I’m Hearing” that New York may fire Rodgers sooner rather than later.
“Some around the league say they won’t be surprised if Rodgers is cut in-season,” claims Russini.
Other than embarrassing Rodgers, firing the quarterback in the coming weeks achieves nothing but put the Jets on the hook for $49 million in dead salary cap space in 2025.
According to data supplied by sports news outlet uStadium, a pre-June 1 cut would require New York to absorb the whole dead cap hit next season. If they wait until after June 1 of the next league year, the Jets can split the charge into $14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026.
The pay cap will rise over the next two years as the NFL’s television rights profits grow, so $35 million in 2025 will strike harder than in 2026.
Right now, each team must adhere to a $255.4 million expenditure restriction. That figure is expected to increase to $273.3 million next season. In 2026, it is expected to rise to $290 million.
Cutting Rodgers now would result in the quarterback occupying 18% of the Jets’ 2025 salary cap space while not even being on the roster.
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If New York is comfortable with low expectations next year, owner Woody Johnson may choose to fire Rodgers early, effectively ending the 2025 season before it begins.
Multiple sources speculate that Rodgers has been playing hurt for the past seven games. He ranks 30th among qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt (6.4) and has not demonstrated the ability to extend the field.
Rodgers and the Jets (3-8) will play for their playoff life against the Seattle Seahawks on December 1 at MetLife Stadium.