The new GM addressed the media for the first time since his introductory press conference.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey addressed the media on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The first year GM touched on many topics, including the decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers.
Darren Mougey on Aaron Rodgers, said he won’t confirm or deny any rumors but that there was no ultimatum for him to come back to the Jets.
Said they just felt at the end of the day that it was the best thing for the Jets moving forward to go in another direction.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) February 25, 2025
I’m not sure this statement is necessarily incompatible with the reports of the discussions the team had with the quarterback. The more that comes out, the more it sounds to me like the Jets were inclined to move on from Rodgers. They perhaps met with Rodgers just on the off chance Rodgers presented a plan that could sway them.
There have been plenty of rumors swirling about the Jets potentially trading up from 7 to get a quarterback. Mougey seemed to provide a standard nonanswer on that topic.
Mougey on the draft, holding No. 7: Open to moving up or moving back. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 25, 2025
He also said exactly what you would expect regarding the status of Davante Adams, who is almost certain to be cut in the weeks ahead.
Mougey on Davante Adams: “Davante is on the team right now.” They have a plan for him over the next few weeks. Key words: right now. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 25, 2025
In terms of actual tangible news, Mougey did give an indication about how Aaron Rodgers’ cap hit will be handled.
Mougey said it is likely that Rodgers will be designated as a post June 1 cut but the final decision has been made
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) February 25, 2025
Designating Rodgers a post-June 1 cut would make his cap number $14 million in 2025 and $34 million in 2026. Rodgers’ cap number would remain at his current pre-cut $23.5 million until June 1. So the offseason would proceed capwise as though Rodgers was on the team. Then the Jets would get $9.5 million in additional space on June 1.
If the Jets make Rodgers a regular cut, he would have a $49 million dead money hit. So his cap charge would rise by $25.5 million from its current $23.5 million rate. However, the Jets would be done with Rodgers’ cap charges in 2026, compared with the $34 million bill that making him a post-June 1 cut entails.