With just a few exceptions, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a fairly healthy player with the Green Bay Packers. Still, the franchise regularly insured him. But when Rodgers left Green Bay for the New York Jets, he didn’t receive the same kind of coverage.
Despite agreeing to a fully guaranteed $75 million deal with Rodgers this offseason, the Jets chose not to select an insurance policy on their new franchise quarterback, according to Sportico. Rodgers, a four-time MVP, turns 40 in December.
The decision to forgo a policy cost the Jets about $20 million once Rodgers tore his Achilles on the Jets’ first drive of the season.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) policies recoups teams portions of players’ guaranteed salaries if players suffer season-hampering injuries. The NBA and NHL require teams to take out TTD policies on their highest-paid players. The NFL, however, joins MLB as leagues that leave the decision up to teams.
In the Jets’ case, they could’ve saved about $22 million had they insured Rodgers before the season. Instead, they continued their longstanding practice of not taking TTD policies out on players.
According to Rodgers, though, there still exists a chance the Jets regain his services this season instead of paying him to rehab — he plans to play again thanks to a “Speed Bridge” surgery.
Rodgers was seen walking without crutches on Thursday as he continues to work his way back to the gridiron.