Ulbrich: Aaron Rodgers To Remain Jets’ QB1

Rumblings about an imminent Jets divorce with Aaron Rodgers have surfaced in the wake of Joe Douglas‘ firing. An awkward period figures to precede that separation, potentially one that features the quarterback shut down early.

A Saturday report indicated Rodgers was likely to finish the season on IR or on the bench. We do not appear at that point yet. Interim Jets HC Jeff Ulbrich said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) Rodgers would “absolutely” start against the Seahawks in Week 13.

[RELATED: Rodgers Still Aiming To Play In 2025]

The Jets sit 3-8, leading to Douglas’ firing, and a number of reports have detailed Woody Johnson‘s outsized influence in personnel matters during the GM’s final year in charge. The Rodgers-Johnson relationship, viewed by some to be frosty, may determine how this chapter ends. A Sunday report, however, did describe a fracture between QB and owner as overblown.

Johnson is widely believed to have suggested his then-Robert Saleh-led coaching staff bench Rodgers after he struggled against the Broncos in Week 4. As could be expected, Jets coaches talked the owner out of that audacious effort. Rodgers, 41 next week, has not closely resembled his MVP-level form this season but has also been battling injuries.

The future Hall of Famer has run into ankle, knee and hamstring trouble this season, with the hamstring issue believed to be the most significant. When asked about a report that indicated Rodgers refused medical scans in an effort to keep his injuries’ severity hidden, Ulbrich said that was “news to me.” Ulbrich added Rodgers is feeling healthier now, coming out of New York’s bye week, than he did earlier this season.

Rodgers attempted to make a historically quick return from an Achilles tear last year, resurfacing at practice with an official IR-return designation. Though, he admitted he was not 100% — as could be expected — once he came back to practice. But Rodgers has displayed toughness as a Jet, albeit while failing to turn the team around as many anticipated. QBR places Rodgers 24th this season, reminding of his 2022 form (26th). He has averaged just 6.4 yards per attempt this season; that would be a career-low mark for the 17th-year starter.

The Jets are 1-5 under Ulbrich and 1-4 since acquiring Davante Adams, at Rodgers’ urging. The team ranks 27th in scoring and total offense, while Ulbrich’s leadership has brought a defensive regression as well. Rodgers has nevertheless backed Ulbrich, who had been the Jets’ DC from 2021 until Saleh’s firing. Both are highly likely to be elsewhere in 2025.

Unless the Browns take an unfathomable dead money hit by cutting Deshaun Watson next year, the Jets dropping Rodgers would bring the second-most dead money one player ever has. Only the Broncos’ $83MM-plus Russell Wilson release will come in higher, as it would cost the Jets $49MM — likely to be split up via a post-June 1 designation — to release Rodgers.

If the Jets are to turn away from Rodgers as they both prepare for a fresh start — while potentially aiming to ensure a better chance at a top-five draft choice — they would stand to replace him with Tyrod Taylor, who signed a two-year, $12MM deal with the team this offseason. It is unclear if the team would want a full-on overhaul at the position, but Taylor is tied to a $6MM base salary for 2025. Of that total, $2.5MM is guaranteed.