Aaron Rodgers Not Committing To Playing In 2025, Would Like To Stay With Jets

Winding down a disappointing season and likely being set to wrap his tenure with the Jets, Aaron Rodgers backtracked a bit regarding his interest in playing a 21st NFL season. The four-time MVP’s latest Pat McAfee Show appearance produced more hesitancy.

Rodgers had said on multiple occasions he planned to play in 2025, doing so most recently two weeks ago. On Tuesday, he said he does not know if he will play in 2025, but if he does, he would prefer it be with the Jets (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini). After firing Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas, the Jets are expected to move on from their two-year quarterback. These conflicting aims will force what could be a difficult resolution in the offseason. As of now, Rodgers remains the Jets’ starter for Week 13.

“These have been two of the best years of my life, as much as it’s been frustrating and difficult, it’s been two really beautiful years,” Rodgers said Tuesday (via Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz). “Playing in New York would obviously be my first choice, if I wanna play.”

Set to turn 41 next week, Rodgers is closing out his 16th NFL season as a starter. Technically, this is Year 17 for the future Hall of Famer as a regular but he obviously saw the 2023 slate end after four plays. Rodgers has battled a few injuries this year as well, to the point a rumor surfaced he had skipped certain medical exams to avoid revealing how seriously he damaged his injured hamstring. Interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said that was “news to me.” The Jets are believed to be considering placing Rodgers on IR or benching him outright to close the season.

As for Rodgers’ current health, he said he “feels great right now.” He said no mandate came for an MRI on his injured hamstring, which has accompanied ankle and knee trouble this season. Regardless of Rodgers’ current health status, it remains likely the Jets will move on from him after this season.

A trade that involved two second-round picks going to the Packers has not worked out for the AFC East franchise, which is moving toward missing the playoffs for a 14th straight season. The Jets rank 27th in both scoring and total offense, and Rodgers has not closely resembled his MVP version. The most recent Trade Rumors Front Office post discussed potential landing spots for Rodgers, who would still stand to generate interest, though it would obviously also be worth wondering how willing a team would be to put up with the drama that follows him if sufficient on-field rewards did not accompany it.

Rumors about Rodgers’ relationship with Woody Johnson have produced conflicting accounts, one painting the owner as having lost confidence in the quarterback and the other indicating the drama was “overblown” and the two had dined together recently. Rodgers said Tuesday (via the New York Daily News’ Antwan Staley) he had actually had dinner with Christopher Johnson, who would serve as acting Jets owner if Woody again left to be President-Elect Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. Indicating he has talked to Christopher more than Woody during his time with the Jets, Rodgers said he had “a lot of love and appreciation and gratitude” for both the Johnsons. Rodgers also confirmed Woody Johnson had landed his plane at Jets practice last week just before firing Douglas, whom Rodgers hoped the team would retain.

Rodgers famously said he was 90% retired after the 2022 season, coming out of a much-discussed darkness retreat with intentions to play for the only team that showed significant interest in him. The Jets acquired Rodgers just before the 2023 draft. While Rodgers’ 2025 plans may not emerge for months, would another team be ready to sign up for a starter run if and when the Jets move on?