Joe Namath applauds Rodgers for taking $35M pay cut

New York Jets legend Joe Namath praised quarterback Aaron Rodgers for taking a sizeable pay cut after joining the team.

"It's a great sign, a great exhibition of his character," Namath told Jake Asman of ESPN New York 98.7FM. "Just the way he is. He wants to win and he wants that team he's on to win."

Rodgers had $110 million remaining on his contract when the Green Bay Packers traded him to the Jets in April. Last week, he reportedly signed a reworked two-year, $75-million deal, equalling a $35 million pay decrease. Rodgers has an $8.8-million cap hit in 2023, according to Over The Cap.

The 39-year-old emphasized during his introductory press conference that his tenure in New York won't be "one-and-done," and the reported new deal suggests he'll be there through the 2024 season.

"He already likes the area, the coaches, the people around there, the teammates, especially, and he wants to them to know, 'Hey, we're in this a couple of times. We want to win now. If we don't, we're going to win it next year,'" Namath added.

"To have him for two seasons and for him to show his appreciation of being with the Jets and his teammates and coaches, man, it's just wonderful."

Namath was the Jets' quarterback when the franchise won its only Super Bowl in 1969.

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