Eyeing Rodgers, Gates save $13.1 million in cover room

FLOURHAM PARK, NJ — In preparation for free agency and the possibility of adding quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have created $13.1 million in salary cap room by restructuring three veteran contracts.

A source told ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday that they’ve reworked the contracts of three free agent players for 2022 — guard Laken Tomlinson, DJ Reed and Tyler Conklin.

Previously, the Jets restructured tight end CJ Uzomah — another member of the Class of 2022 — and released wide receiver Braxton Berrios.

Finally, Maximum’s savings total over $21 million. The Jets had to make the moves because they were just over the $224.8 million cap. Teams must be cap-compliant by March 15, the start of the new league year.

And now they are waiting for Rodgers to make a decision about his future. He could request a trade to the Jets, retire, or return to the Green Bay Packers, which seems unlikely.

The Brass Jets, including owner Woody Johnson, flew to Southern California on Tuesday to meet with Rodgers. On Friday, Packers president Mark Murphy confirmed that they’ve given the Jets permission to talk to the four-time MVP.

The Jets and Packers both want a solution by the time free agency begins. The legal gerrymandering period begins on Monday.

Meanwhile, the planes can take more moves. Pro Bowl player CJ Mosley ($21.5 million cap) is a candidate for a contract restructuring. Wide receiver Corey Davis ($11.2 million) and safety Jordan Whitehead ($10.2 million) could be losses.

To rework the contracts of Tomlinson, Reed, and Conklin, the Jets simply converted their base 2023 salaries into signing bonuses, splitting the amount over the final two years of the contract. No void years have been added. Each player is signed through 2024.