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Aaron Rodgers’ Jets career is still on the tarmac, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been compensated for it.
The longtime Packer was set to make his Jets debut on a Monday night under the bright lights at MetLife Stadium in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. As the story goes, the lights went out quickly after four offensive snaps saw Rodgers leave on a cart. He did not get back on the field the rest of the season.
Aaron Rodgers takes the field holding the American flag 🙌
📺: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/6SstXq1rq7 pic.twitter.com/cXcCVlH0mX— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2023
Rodgers was supposed to be the fragrance that extinguished the stench coming from a Jets organization that continues to hold the league’s longest playoff drought — now at 13 seasons and counting. But not even Rodgers could cover up that smell coming from the swamps of northern New Jersey.
Despite the unfortunate exit that left a crowd of more than 82,000 people stunned, Rodgers did manage to secure a payday from his cameo appearance.
The Sporting News looks at the NFL performance-based payout system and how much Rodgers made for his time on the field in 2023.
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What is an NFL performance-based payout?
The NFL’s performance-based payout is a system that gives bonuses to players based on their playing time and salary. The bonuses do not count against the salary cap. Every player that plays a snap during the season is then eligible to receive a payout, no matter how big or small.
Rodgers is at the bottom of the list for 2023, receiving a league-low $81.14 for his time spent on the field in a Jets uniform, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Aaron Rodgers played just four snaps in 2023 before suffering a torn Achilles. For that he earned $81.14 in “performance-based pay,” money awarded to NFL players based on their playing time and base salary.
Rodgers’ earnings were the lowest in the NFL, per @AdamSchefter 😬 pic.twitter.com/2U8lTqOv1c
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 2, 2024
One of Rodgers’ newest protectors, former Ravens’ left guard John Simpson, took home the biggest bonus — $974,613.
Former Ravens and current Jets guard John Simpson led all NFL players last season by receiving an extra $974,613 in performance-based pay. The top earners that were announced today: pic.twitter.com/5AIyTKqR9R
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2024
Jets fans, many of which likely paid double that $81 to see Rodgers trot out onto the field holding an American flag, will hope that they get a little more bang for their buck next season.
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Aaron Rodgers contract
Rodgers has two more seasons left on his current deal with the Jets, one that was reworked in order to bring the future Hall of Fame quarterback to the northeast.
Here’s how that breaks down, according to Spotrac:
| Year | Age | Base Salary | Cap hit |
| 2024 | 41 | $3,161,112 | $17,161,112 |
| 2025 | 42 | $37,500,000 | $51,500,000 |
| 2026 | 43 | VOID | VOID |
| 2027 | 44 | VOID | VOID |
| 2028 | 45 | VOID | VOID |
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Aaron Rodgers net worth
Rodgers’ net worth has been estimated to be around $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. With 19 NFL seasons under his belt, the quarterback has racked up $342,496,898 in career earnings, per Spotrac. After factoring in endorsement deals, it’s safe to say that his total earnings are even higher, making Rodgers one of the highest-paid athletes.