The Jets are expected to move on from Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2025 campaign. However, there’s a chance the quarterback doesn’t even stick on the active roster through the end of the 2024 season.
[RELATED: Jets Likely To Move On From Aaron Rodgers In 2025]
Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes that the team is considering multiple options regarding Rodgers’ roster status. While no decision has been made, Russini says it “appears increasingly likely” that the quarterback could be benched for the stretch run of the season. The Jets could also help Rodgers save face by placing the veteran on injured reserve. After suffering his season-ending Achilles tear in 2023, the 40-year-old has dealt with hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries this season, so an IR stint wouldn’t be completely unfounded.
There are even some around the NFL who wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets simply cut Rodgers before the end of the 2024 season. The financial implications of such a move would make this route unlikely. In addition to his untenable (albeit prorated) $66MM dead cap hit for 2024, the Jets would also be hit with a $25.5MM charge for the 2025 campaign. If the Jets were to designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut, then the front office could actually realize some savings (around $9.5MM of cap relief). While a divorce seems inevitable, there’s really no benefit to the Jets being hasty and moving on now.
The Jets’ disappointing 2024 campaign has naturally led to both sides seeking fresh starts. It also sounds like the broken relationship between Rodgers and owner Woody Johnson may also be playing a role. We heard earlier this week that Johnson suggested benching the franchise star earlier this season, and Russini says the owner has “lost confidence” in Rodgers’ ability to guide the franchise to the postseason. On the other side, Rodgers’ relationship with Johnson has been “strained for months,” and while the quarterback intends to play in 2025, he isn’t enthusiastic about returning to the Jets.
If the Jets do bench Rodgers for the final chunk of games in 2024, then Tyrod Taylor would be the logical fill-in for the organization. What isn’t so clear is who would replace Rodgers in 2025. Russini points to Russell Wilson or a reunion with Sam Darnold, although the reporter is skeptical that either QB will leave their current situation. Russini also notes that Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, and previous target Derek Carr will likely be available, but none of those options provide much hope for contention.
“Whatever. I wanted to go back to Egypt anyway”
-Aaron
The Jets are officially my ex team
Dan Synder killed the Redskins for me. After 7-9 years of losing, scandals, and everything else associated with that jerk, I quit caring.
Snyder’s gone, the Commanders are good again, plus they’re a double-digit favorite against bottom-feeding Dallas.
Only way to force change from a fan pressure perspective. Cowboys fans need to walk away from the team until Jones hires actual football people to run the organization.
Woody Johnson is also worthy of such a protest. He tanked this season when he fired a coach everyone liked because he wore a Lebanese flag pin. He has no one but himself to blame for this season going down the toilet.
Moving on from Rodgers makes perfect sense at this point. But the Jets have a lot of other things to figure before they start looking for a QB for next season. They should find a coach who can make a QB look good rather than trying to find a QB who can make a coach look good.
The problem for the Jets is their reincarnation of Robert Irsay. Even when the Baltimore Colts had a good run in the mid-70s, Irsay’s shadow hung over them.
It’s too bad the NFL doesn’t have relegation.
Using the NFL as a 32-team division, the bottom 4 teams (going into 11/24) are Jax, Tenn, Giants, Vegas.
You’d have to realign the NFL into 2 or 3 divisions for promotion/relegation to work. Why not?
It would make every league way better. No more tanking, ever. Keep AFC-NFC. Every team plays each team in their league once. Bottom team from each league automatically relegated, two second to bottom teams play in a relegation bowl. 3 teams promoted from XFL or whatever. The ability to get promoted to the NFL would make that league instantly incredible, also.
Put him on IR.
Malignant narcissistic personality disorder is a medical condition.
I say retain Rodgers for one year AND bring Rex Ryan back to coach! What fun that would be to watch!
Mr. Foot Fetish can continue his mouth-breather act at ESPN, thank you.
Must be something in the water or the air of that urban environment that influences owners to make poor decisions about their sports teams. Notice that many NY/NJ supporters were enthusiastic about the acquisitions on both teams initially and are now disappointed.
Might be the ‘City that never sleeps’ needs a nap.
Let Fire Chief (Fireman) Ed deal with Rogers the Dumpster Fire
If Jets wind up with a top 10 pick they should trade back into the 20s. Get some extra draft capital.
In the late 1st I’d target tackle help Savaiinaea
2nd I’d target Jalen Milroe as a dual threat QB or give Jordan Travis a shot if he’s healthy.
Either way they should really work on the oline issues, dline depth, and cb depth with the draft.
Man had his chance and choked several times!
“the 40-year-old has dealt with hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries this season, so an IR stint wouldn’t be completely unfounded”.
The Jets could just say Rodgers is on IR because he suffered a bruised ego.