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Rams in LA Detect a Draft, Yet it's Unrelated to Stafford's Departure

Los Angeles opts out of selecting a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft due to Stafford's commitment to at least one additional Super Bowl run.

L.A. Rams versus San Francisco 49ers Football Matchup
L.A. Rams versus San Francisco 49ers Football Matchup

Rams in LA Detect a Draft, Yet it's Unrelated to Stafford's Departure

Base Article:The NYC Jets aren't on the hunt for a franchise quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, thanks to Aaron Rodgers agreeing to one more shot at the Super Bowl.

The Jets, with the 13th pick in the first round, have been in talks with Rodgers throughout the offseason. This resembles the back-and-forth both parties experienced a year ago, except this time a resolution was reached before, not after, the draft.

Rodgers agreed to an essentially one-year deal, but not before his reps got permission to seek a trade partner. When no team emerged that Rodgers found appealing, and he wasn't satisfied with the potential compensation package deals, he returned to the squad he led to the AFC Championship Game.

"There are numerous good things about this organization and my team," Rodgers told reporters as the Jets began their spring workouts on Monday. "I never really wanted to depart."

Rodgers, who's entering his 18th season, wanted to be compensated at market rate, even though he wasn't a free agent. It was clear from both sides that his contract needed to be adjusted.

According to Spotrac.com, Rodgers' estimated one-year deal includes a $35 million base salary, with another $15 million in bonuses.

"I'm simply delighted to be back and pleased that the Jets want me back," Rodgers said. "We can move forward and hopefully have a fantastic season."

The Jets are coming off a season where they finished third in the AFC East with a 6-11 record.

NYC knew it was close to making a deep run, one that was fueled by Rodgers, who threw for 28 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in the regular season. He played his best during the season's most critical moments.

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That made Rodgers' return so crucial, despite his age. The Jets don't have a suitable replacement on their roster, aren't thrilled about the free-agent market, and were unlikely to pick a quarterback early in the draft to lead them to the Super Bowl.

Not so with Rodgers back, even if he considered other possibilities.

"You're doing your due diligence and checking things out," Rodgers said. "I know a lot of these coaches, a lot of the players, a lot of the teams and some of their situations. You take a look around and see what’s going on."

Rodgers decided to stay put.

"Wanting to be back with the Jets was my No. 1 priority, and I'm glad it worked out," he said. "So I don't have to worry much about it."

Enrichment Data:

Overall:

The latest developments on Aaron Rodgers' contract with the New York City Jets for the 2023 NFL season and beyond are as follows:

  • As of early 2025, Rodgers and the Jets reached an agreement on a new contract set for the 2025 season, but the contract had not yet been officially signed. The delay was described as mainly semantic, with the deal being effectively complete and reflecting a compromise between Rodgers' desire to stay and the team's financial structure. Rodgers made sacrifices to remain with the Jets, and the agreement aimed to build the right team around him while ensuring he felt valued. Until the new deal is signed, Rodgers is set to earn $42 million in 2025 under his previous terms [1].
  • The Jets have adopted a year-to-year approach with Rodgers, restructuring his contract to keep him in NYC through the 2025 season. The team plans to review his contract annually, acknowledging the possibilities of Rodgers retiring or returning. This approach allows flexibility given Rodgers' status as one of the league's longest-tenured players. The Jets' management indicated this situation is a "good problem to have," highlighting their confidence in Rodgers as a key part of their present and near future [2].
  • Regarding roster planning, the Jets are unlikely to select a quarterback early in the draft as they prioritize a "win-now" mindset. Retaining Rodgers influences their draft strategy, making it less probable they will use a premium pick on a quarterback. Instead, they currently have Rodgers as the starter, veteran Zach Wilson on the bench as backup, and rookie Bryce Young under contract. Rodgers has expressed a desire to continue playing beyond 2025, so the team is not in a rush to find his immediate successor via the draft [2][3].
  • Rodgers recently expressed satisfaction with his restructured contract after considering possible trades or new team opportunities. Although financial discussions with the Jets were challenging in the offseason, Rodgers’ strong ties to the team and positive view of the organization led him to stay. He acknowledged the negotiations were shorter than in prior years and expressed enthusiasm about moving forward for a successful season with the Jets [4].

In summary, Aaron Rodgers remains under a restructured, year-to-year deal with the Jets, reflecting mutual commitment but allowing flexibility. The team plans to maintain him as the starting quarterback for the 2023 season and likely beyond, focusing on building around him rather than drafting a new quarterback early. The contract finalization is pending formal signing but is considered close to completion and representative of a compromise benefiting both Rodgers and the team. Rodgers has expressed happiness with the arrangement after considering other options in free agency or trade discussions[1][2][3][4].

  1. Stafford, the long-term quarterback for the Jets, seemed interested in exploring other prospects during offseason negotiations, but ultimately decided to stay with the team.
  2. Within the enrichment data, it's mentioned that Rodgers and the Jets reached an agreement on a new contract, set for the 2025 season, albeit with a delay in its formal signing due to some semantic issues.
  3. Rodgers' new contract includes a base salary of $35 million for the 2025 season, according to Spotrac.com.
  4. In view of the year-to-year approach taken with Rodgers, the Jets are unlikely to select a quarterback early in the draft, opting instead for a roster built around their veteran star player.

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