4 Salary cap-friendly players Jets can send Packers in Aaron Rodgers trade
By Paul Bretl
If the Green Bay Packers are going to receive a player in return from the New York Jets in their eventual trade of Aaron Rodgers, they are somewhat limited in who they can get, given their salary cap situation.
Due to an additional $9 million in dead cap that will hit the 2023 salary cap when Rodgers is traded, the Packers’ available cap space is going to drop from roughly $24 million down to $15 million. If Green Bay has to absorb any of Rodgers’ $59.5 million guaranteed salary, his dead cap left behind will grow, and their available cap space will shrink.
There are also incoming expenses such as any additional free agent signings, the final two players on the 53-man roster, the draft class, the practice squad, and reserves for in-season spending that will decrease what they have as well–hence why the signings that the Packers have made up to this point have all been inexpensive and short-term deals.
So players like Carl Lawson, Corey Davis, and Jordan Whitehead, who all come with cap hits of $15 million, $10.5 million, and $7.25 million, are all likely out of the Packers’ price range. Not to say that acquiring Davis or Whitehead is impossible, Green Bay could potentially sign them to extensions or use void years to lower their current cap hits, but it would still be a tight squeeze and a move perhaps not worth making with the additional commitment that’s needed.
There are, however, four players on this current Jets team that come with reasonable cap hits and could intrigue the Packers if they are looking to get a player back in return.
Packers Trade Target: Jeremy Ruckert – TE
Need for Packers: Tight end is arguably the biggest need that the Packers have as they search for more depth and playmaking at the position. There are only three tight ends on the roster currently, and only Josiah Deguara has any NFL experience. Robert Tonyan was the only pass-catching threat at the position in 2022, and while reliable, he lacked playmaking ability, something that many of this past year’s playoff teams had at the position.
Stats to know: Ruckert was a 2022 third-round pick by the Jets and appeared in only three games on offense as a rookie. He would catch one pass for eight yards while primarily being used as a blocker. Ruckert also had 99 special teams snaps across a few different units.
Salary Cap Impact: Ruckert will only be entering the second year of his rookie contract and comes with a base salary of $934,314, according to Over the Cap.
Why the Jets would be willing to include Ruckert: At the tight end position, the Jets already have Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah, who combined for 109 targets in 2022. On top of that, New York has an intriguing player in Kenny Yeboah on the roster already, and they may also be looking to sign Marcedes Lewis, which would further push Ruckert down the depth chart.
Why the Jets would not want to trade Ruckert: Although he played a small role as a rookie, Ruckert is a relatively high draft pick, only entering his second season. Most rookie tight ends do not make a significant impact but take a step forward in Year 2.