Aaron Rodgers expects 'few-years partnership' with Jets - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said he was «90% retired» before entering his celebrated darkness retreat in February, now is talking like he wants to play not one… not two… but at least three more years.

«This is going to be a few-years partnership,» Rodgers said Tuesday, explaining his rationale for taking a historic $35 million pay cut in a newly restructured contract.

In a long-anticipated move, Rodgers reworked his contract last week. Basically, it's a three-year, $112.5 million deal that includes $75 million in fully guaranteed money for 2023 and 2024. On his previous contract, he was due to make about $110 million in guarantees.

Rodgers, 39, said his below-market deal is «a win-win-win for everybody. A win for me — I get paid a ton of money. A win for the team — we get a low cap number and deferred some cash. A win for other guys that we can bring in and sign. I have no complaints. I'm not missing it at all.»

He wants the team to remain competitive in the future because he doesn't expect to be a one-and-done player for the Jets.

Rodgers provided a window into his thinking when asked about his inevitable induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The question came up because the Jets open the preseason Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

«I want to play a few more years, and it'll be five after that,» said the four-time NFL MVP, alluding to the mandatory waiting period for eligibility. «Who knows what's going to happen in eight or nine years? That's a long way off.» Rodgers also said, «I'm taking it one year at a time. Yeah, I'd love to play as long as I can, as long as it's fun, as long as my body feels good, as long as they want me.»

Under his new