{"id":60726,"date":"2023-09-14T01:26:46","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T05:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/investing\/if-aaron-rodgers-injury-is-career-ending-are-the-new-york-jets-on-the-hook-for-75-million\/"},"modified":"2023-09-14T01:26:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T05:26:49","slug":"if-aaron-rodgers-injury-is-career-ending-are-the-new-york-jets-on-the-hook-for-75-million","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifintechworld.com\/?p=60726","title":{"rendered":"If Aaron Rodgers\u2019 injury is career-ending, are the New York Jets on the hook for $75 million?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Regardless of what happens with Aaron Rodgers\u2019 career as a New York Jet, he could still be in line to collect $75 million over the next two seasons.<\/p>\n

Rodgers, the 39-year-old future hall-of-famer who joined the Jets in ballyhooed fashion during the offseason after a 17-year career with the Green Bay Packers, was taken off the field in his first game as a Jet on Monday night. <\/p>\n

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By Tuesday morning, it was confirmed that Rodgers had torn his Achilles tendon, based on an MRI, and would be out for the rest of the season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and NFL.com.<\/p>\n

In an Instagram post, Rodgers said Wednesday night that he was \u201cheartbroken\u201d about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love,\u201d Rodgers wrote. \u201cPlease keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.\u201d<\/p>\n

A torn Achilles is indeed no small matter. The average length of recovery is in the 10- to 12-month range, the Pro Football Network site reported.<\/p>\n

But others have noted that a torn Achilles might be a career-ender for Rodgers. A \u201csevere injury \u2026 would raise questions about his future,\u201d ABC News said.<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong> Too soon? Chicago hot-dog slinger and New York headline writer among those swift to make light of the Aaron Rodgers injury.<\/p>\n

News reports have indicated that Rodgers\u2019 two-year $75 million contract with the Jets is \u201cguaranteed.\u201d That could mean the team owes him that money even if he never plays another game.<\/p>\n

Still, the NFL states on its website that some contracts are not guaranteed in full. So, if Rodgers\u2019 contract didn\u2019t cover him for injury, the Jets could be off the hook if he doesn\u2019t recover and return.<\/p>\n

\u201cMedia outlets typically announce and talk about the \u2018guaranteed money\u2019 in a player\u2019s contract. However, much of the money is only partially<\/em> guaranteed,\u201d the NFL has said.<\/p>\n

But ESPN has reported that Rodgers\u2019 $75 million contract is \u201cfully guaranteed,\u201d as have other outlets.<\/p>\n

Another possibility: Either the Jets or Rodgers could have taken out an insurance policy to cover the $75 million contract. So either the team or Rodgers could recover any lost money in a worst-case scenario, should that materialize.<\/p>\n

Darren Heitner, a sports attorney based in Florida, said it\u2019s certainly possible that the Jets have insurance, especially given Rodgers\u2019 age and the size of the contract. \u201cIt\u2019s inherently a hedge on risk,\u201d Heitner said.<\/p>\n

But Heitner added it\u2019s less likely that Rodgers had any need for insurance since the guarantee is effectively a form of insurance itself.<\/p>\n

Heitner did note that there are potential loopholes even in a fully guaranteed contract. For example, if a player engages in a risky activity, such as skydiving, that results in an injury, that might null the guarantee. <\/p>\n

Technically, Rodgers\u2019 contract is worth $112.5 million over three years, with a possible extension for two additional years, according to the Pro Football Network site. The guaranteed portion \u2014 $75 million \u2014 covers the quarterback\u2019s first two seasons as a Jet.<\/p>\n

Rodgers took a pay cut to come to the Jets. If he had remained a Packer, he would have been in line to earn nearly $110 million through the remainder of his contract, before being traded by Green Bay in exchange for draft picks.<\/p>\n

Fully guaranteed contracts are not necessarily the norm in the NFL precisely because players are prone to injury, Heitner noted. But given Rodgers\u2019 stature and the fact many teams would have likely signed him if the Jets didn\u2019t, that put him and his representatives in a better position to push for such a guarantee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe name of the game is leverage,\u201d Heitner said. <\/p>\n

The New York Jets didn\u2019t respond immediately to a MarketWatch request for comment about Rodgers\u2019 medical situation and contract terms. But the team did issue a statement on social media about Rodgers, saying, \u201cNot the way any of us wanted it to go, but we know the commitment you\u2019ve made to this team will continue to impact us moving forward. Get well soon, @AaronRodgers12<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n