While the Aaron Rodgers decision looms over NFL free agency, we at least now have confirmation regarding one piece of the puzzle. The New York Jets will be releasing him with a post-June 1 designation later today, per Adam Schefter.
“Now official: Jets are releasing Aaron Rodgers after 4 pm today,” Schefter wrote on X. “The Jets will take on $49M in dead money by releasing Rodgers. He’s being designated as a post-June 1 cut, meaning they’ll carry his $21M cap hit until June 1, when it drops to $14M—saving $7M. But they then will absorb a $35M dead cap hit in 2026.”
Much like the Darius Slay situation with the Philadelphia Eagles, which has gone back and forth as to whether the Eagles plan on releasing him or attempting to extract trade value, people were wondering if the Jets could have a change of heart and attempt to dangle Rodgers in a trade with multiple teams currently interested in his services.
That will not be the case with Rodgers, according to Schefter.
NFL insider Josina Anderson suggested that might be a possibility earlier today on X.
The bottom line is that Rodgers will be a free agent, as was initially expected, and he will be free to sign with whomever he chooses. As for the waiting game, Schefter has now said multiple times that it could take “some time” for a decision, but even he has admitted that could mean an hour, a day, or even a week.
That decision appears to be down to two teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants are the two candidates with the Minnesota Vikings also considered a dark-horse candidate by some. He is thought to be the Steelers’ top choice with Russell Wilson also still available as a free agent.
Speculation surrounding his decision seems to be pointing toward a gap in the financial aspect of the negotiations. If that’s true, it’s possible that the Steelers are making Rodgers choose between more money with the Giants or a chance to compete in Pittsburgh. At the tail end of his career, and after a miserable two-year stint with the Jets, you’d think he would choose the latter.
