New York Jets clear $15.2M in cap space in preparation for Aaron Rodgers trade

The New York Jets have cleared $15.1 million in salary cap space after restructuring several contracts in anticipation of trading for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

It was announced on Saturday that left guard Laken Tomlinson, cornerback D.J. Reed, and tight end Tyler Conklin all agreed to restructured deals to free up salary cap space.

Earlier in the week New York also restructured the deal of tight end C.J Uzomah and released reserve wide receiver and return man Braxton Berrios in cap saving moves as well.

Altogether the transactions freed up over $21 million in cap space, per Cimini. The Jets now have $11.6 million in cap space ahead of the start of the new league year on March 15, according to Over The Cap.

The Jets restructured the contracts of three different players, including Laken Tomlinson

Standout cornerback D.J Reed also had his contract restructured after one season in New York

New York has been the only team linked with trading for Rodgers and according to the comments made by Packers team president Mark Murphy it appears Green Bay would prefer to send Rodgers to the Jets, rather than see him return to play another season in Green and Yellow.

 ‘It’s a situation where I think we wanted to help Aaron achieve what he wanted, as well as the Packers,’ Murphy said. ‘Hopefully it’ll create a situation where it’s a win for both sides.’

While Murphy noted that discussions were still ongoing, he spoke about Rodgers’ Green Bay career in the past tense. 

‘Very few players play for only one team. Brett [Favre] had a great career here. Aaron had a great career here,’ he said.

New York recently sent a contingent to meet with Rodgers that included owner Woody Johnson, head coach Robert Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas, and newly hired offensive coordinator Nathanil Hackett – who is a close friend of Rodgers.

Following the meeting, Johnson was said to be ‘excited’ about the chance of adding the four-time MVP. 

Majority of the Jets locker room has reached out to Rodgers on social media in attempts to convince him to come to New York, the most notable of whom being star cornerback Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner.

Gardner had previously tweeted to Rodgers that if the future Hall of Fame QB joined the Jets he wouldn’t pick him off in practice and that he would burn the cheesehead.

Just last night Gardner and teammates Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson went viral for burning a cheesehead in an attempt to lure Aaron Rodgers to New York.

Following his restructuring Tomlinson tweeted out a meme to Rodgers from the cartoon Futurama saying ‘shut up and take my money.’

Tight end Tyler Conklin rounded out the trio of starters to get restructured contracts Saturday

Fellow tight end C.J. Uzomah restructured his deal earlier on the week to create cap space

Wide receiver and return man Braxton Berrios was released during the week to clear cap as well