Darren Mougey is on the verge of being associated with two of the largest dead money charges for a single player in NFL history. Having collaborated with Sean Payton and George Paton, the Broncos made headlines by approving a staggering $83 million-plus in Russell Wilson dead cap. Now, he finds himself at the helm of a Jets organization poised to part ways with Aaron Rodgers. If released, the team would face a $49 million dead money hit, which will likely extend over two offseasons with a post-June 1 designation.

If the Jets opt for this course of action, they must wait until March 12 to officially release Rodgers. Recent communication indicates that the Jets met with their star quarterback last week, as reported by SI.com’s Albert Breer. This meeting wasn’t the first interaction between Rodgers and new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini noting multiple discussions throughout the offseason.

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The Broncos were facing a deadline for Wilson’s 2025 salary to become guaranteed unless he was cut before the 2024 vesting date. In contrast, Rodgers currently has a non-guaranteed 2025 salary. The Jets may also be ready to part ways with him immediately, as Jason Fitzgerald from OverTheCap suggests that a sooner release seems much more likely. This would prevent the Jets from incurring $14 million in dead cap in 2025 and $35 million in 2026, allowing them to take on the full cost in 2025 instead.

New management typically prioritizes their future over dead money obligations from prior administrations, but with the high turnover in coaching roles across the NFL, it’s understandable why Glenn would seek to avoid a $49 million burden on the Jets’ 2025 salary cap. Despite Glenn’s positive assessment of Rodgers during his final season with the Packers and their willingness to collaborate, the general consensus has been that moving on from this less-than-successful partnership is likely. Recent reports have brought clarity to the situation, and the timing of the decision will significantly impact the team’s financial planning.

At 41, Rodgers has shown a willingness to renegotiate his contract once more, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes. After joining the Jets, he took a considerable pay cut and previously did not demand a new contract during his 2021 standoff with the Packers, who later adjusted his contract in 2022 to facilitate a trade in 2023. Throughout his illustrious career, Rodgers has accumulated over $380 million, and his main focus is likely finding the right fit for a potentially 21st season.

Whether that season will happen remains uncertain. ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated on the Pat McAfee Show that he anticipates Rodgers will return for a 21st season (video link). In a December poll, we asked readers where they believed Rodgers might end up, with retirement emerging as the leading option, followed closely by the Raiders. While I speculated about a potential trade to the Titans, that was prior to Tennessee securing the No. 1 overall draft pick. Currently, DraftKings lists the Steelers as slight favorites for Rodgers, with the Raiders and 49ers following closely behind.

Rodgers has maintained a regular segment on McAfee’s show, using the platform to express various opinions, often outside of football. If the Jets were to retain him, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini revealed on her podcast (via Awful Announcing) that Glenn and Mougey would prefer Rodgers to focus solely on the game and discontinue his McAfee segments. This follows a press conference where Glenn appeared to signal a move away from the times when the Jets prioritized Rodgers’ preferences, a relationship that seems to have deteriorated during this time.

While the notion of a Rodgers-Mike Tomlin pairing is intriguing, Pittsburgh has been linked more closely to re-signing either Wilson or Justin Fields, with Fields appearing to be the more likely candidate. Although Rodgers would represent an upgrade in passing efficiency, transitioning from a 25-year-old Fields to a 41-year-old Rodgers would be a significant shift. Retaining Fields would place Wilson and Kirk Cousins in competition with Rodgers for roles, adding an element of intrigue to a quarterback market that may include Sam Darnold, depending on Minnesota’s franchise tag decision. While a strong market for Rodgers may not be guaranteed, various teams are expected to show interest.

Should Rodgers depart from New York, it’s likely that Davante Adams will follow suit. The Jets will not maintain Adams on his existing contract, designed for the Raiders, as per Breer, who asserts that this All-Pro receiver is almost certain to be released soon.

Although Adams’ contract runs without guaranteed money through 2026, an October restructure added two void years to his deal. Nonetheless, cutting the 32-year-old playmaker would free up over $29 million in cap space. Presently, the franchise has not reached out to the Taco Bell spokesperson, who has recently been connected to teams on the West Coast like the Rams, Chargers, and 49ers.

The potential exit of both Rodgers and Adams could bolster the Jets’ chances of satisfying Garrett Wilson, who appeared to be in conflict with Rodgers over target distribution following the Adams trade. The Jets are expected to exercise Wilson’s fifth-year option before the May deadline, extending his contract through 2026. With Adams’ departure, the Jets will once again need to seek a second receiver, a recurring challenge for the team in recent seasons.