The Jets are set to kick off the next step of their wide-ranging GM search. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets are currently planning a second round of interviews for their general manager job.
Barring a late addition, the Jets’ first round of GM interviews included 15 individuals. One of those initial candidates is now off the market, as the Titans hired Chiefs assistant GMMikeBorgonzi for their top job. Cimini notes that Borgonzi was a strong candidate for New York’s gig.
Still, that would leave 14 potential candidates for the Jets job, and the organization shouldn’t be worried about another executive getting away. Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the team’s GM candidates view the organization’s outlook “more positively than the public.” Of course, with only the Jets and Raiders jobs currently open, these candidates can’t be overly picky about their landing spot. Still, it’s at least encouraging that any recent chaos in New York hasn’t dissuaded future GMs.
Schultz reaffirms that the Jets’ next general manager (along with the team’s future HC addition) will ultimately determine Aaron Rodgers‘ fate in New York. The quarterback also hinted that his future with the organization will be dependent on the Jets’ new regime.
“I think everybody understands that it’s going to come down to a GM and a coach and myself and whether we all want to do a dance together or if it’s not in the cards,” Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” (via Cimini).
As our GM tracker shows, the Jets’ current list of GM candidates includes:
At least one more game remains in Aaron Rodgers‘ Jets career, but it would come as no surprise if he were to be let go after the season ends. Retirement could ensue after that, but if the future Hall of Famer were to continue playing he may not have a long list of suitors.
Rodgers tore his Achilles in his Jets debut, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2023 campaign. He (along with head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas) remained in place for the start of the current season. Both members of the previous regime have since been fired, though, and on the whole Rodgers’ play has not matched expectations. A new pair of decision-makers will be in place well before the start of the 2025 season, and a reset under center would be an understandable approach leaving Rodgers with an uncertain outlook. He and the team have not discussed what will happen once the season ends, but he is well aware a trip to free agency could be looming.
If that turns out to be the case, Rodgers would certainly be a notable name on the market. Given his age (41) and underwhelming output this season, however, teams could prefer to look elsewhere at the position. As Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes, some around the league believe a tepid market could be in place for the four-time MVP given his level of play and the off-the-field matters which have increasingly become an aspect of his career.
“No way are [the Jets] bringing him back,” an anonymous general manager told La Canfora. “And I don’t see anyone signing him to be their starter. The Giants won’t do it. The Saints won’t do it. The Raiders have to go young. Does he take a huge pay cut and fight for a job somewhere? Can you see him doing that? Where’s the fit?”
As usual, several teams are in position to make notable moves at the quarterback spot this offseason, and a number of veterans will no doubt be on the move shortly. With questions over the upside of many passers in the upcoming draft class, more emphasis could be placed on finding short-term answers under center. Any number of teams could show interest in Rodgers as a result, but a short-term pact with a value well below the top of the QB market would be expected in that case.
The longtime Packer has made it clear his preference would be to remain with the Jets for 2025, but a post-June 1 release would yield considerable cap savings (next year in particular) while allowing New York to start over at the quarterback spot. It is uncertain at this point if the team will take that route, but if so Rodgers’ future would consist of hanging up his cleats or attempting to find a new team for the second time in his career.
As continues to deal with his latest nagging injury, Aaron Rodgersconfirmed he will play the Jets’ final two games this season. Whether those matchups represent the final ones of his tenure with the team – if not of his career – remains to be seen.
Signs have long pointed to a parting of ways between the parties, and Rodgers himself admitted on Monday he could be released once the regular season ends. The four-time MVP’s preference would be to remain in New York if he elects to continue his career for at least one more season. It is still uncertain at this point, though, if Rodgers will suit up for the 2025 campaign.
On the Jets’ side of things, major organizational decisions loom which will no doubt have an impact on Rodgers. The team needs a new general manager and head coach, and it would come as no surprise if the new regime (once in place) elects to move in a different direction under center. Indeed, the Jets have been named as a team to watch regarding the addition of a quarterback through the draft, although Rodgers appears to be on board with taking a pay cut if it helps him stay in place for one more year. With plenty still to be sorted out, the 41-year-old noted on Tuesday his future is up in the air.
“There’s a GM that has to get hired, I would assume first, and then he’s going to be a part of hiring the head coach,” Rodgers said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “And then so I have to be in the plans of multiple people, starting with the ownership and then the GM and then the head coach. So that’s why to me, that would not be a conversation I’m expecting anytime soon until those things are in place.”
The Jets will miss the postseason once again this year, so moves on the coaching and GM fronts will likely take place relatively soon. Owner Woody Johnson will of course have a key role to play in the latter search in particular, and whether or not the new group of decision-makers wants to keep Rodgers around. A rift between owner and QB has been suggested multiple times, with Johnson having wanted to bench Rodgers at least once earlier this year. The longtime Packer has reportedly been frustrated with the handling of former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett‘s demotion, a move which stripped power from one of the many people brought in with connections from his time in Green Bay.
When asked if he feels Johnson wants him back at this point, Rodgers simply replied (via Cimini), “you should ask Woody.” Notably, Rodgers added no conversations have taken place regarding how team and player will proceed once the season ends. New York’s offense has not delivered on expectations in 2024, although in recent weeks (sparked in no small part by the reunion between Rodgers and wideout Davante Adams) the unit has shown signs of improvement. Still, resetting under center – and quite probably moving on from Adams along the way – will be a feasible move for the team this offseason.
Rodgers reiterated his desire to remain a Jet for 2025, but he added there would be “no offense” taken if a release were to take place. Even if the team’s top brass express a willingness to keep him on board, the future Hall of Famer said he would take time to contemplate his situation. Rodgers, of course, nearly retired prior to arriving with the Jets via trade in the spring of 2023. His Achilles tear four snaps into his debut with his new team set up a pay cut and a return for this season, but things have not gone according to plan (as evidenced by the midseason firings of Robert Saleh and, later, Joe Douglas).
Rodgers has increasingly found himself in the spotlight during the waning years of his career, and questions about his future will continue until clarity emerges. It will not be for some time until that point arrives, but his situation will serve as a central storyline for the Jets as the franchise approaches a critical offseason.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson
Aaron Rodgers‘ latest Pat McAfee Show appearance again made reference to (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) potentially being a first-time free agent soon. Although the Jets should not be ruled out from reversing course on their rumored QB divorce and keeping their aging quarterback, a look for 2025 landing spots remains relevant.
The 20th-year veteran has stopped short of confirming he will be back next season, but as of mid-November he was pointing to a return for 2025. If nothing else, Rodgers may want a chance to provide a better conclusion to his decorated career compared to what is transpiring this season in New York. The Jets are 4-11, which will clinch their worst record since Zach Wilson‘s rookie year, and are expected to draft a quarterback.
It is worth wondering if the Jets could keep Rodgers as a bridge, considering he has expressed interest in staying. The 41-year-old passer said he would prefer to stay rather than relocate again, but reports in the wake of Joe Douglas‘ ouster place the team as being ready to move on. Rodgers and Woody Johnson also appeared to disagree on Nathaniel Hackett‘s employment this offseason, and the owner — perhaps on multiple occasions — called for the QB’s benching this year. Rodgers has played better as of late, however, and could be an option for a Jets team that is unlikely to earn a top-two pick. Barring a trade-up, the Jets would not then be in position for one of the top two arms in the 2025 class (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders) and may then need to expand their options.
Ranking 23rd in QBR and averaging a career-low 6.6 yards per attempt, Rodgers should not be closely associated with his prime years or even the late-prime seasons that brought him his third and fourth MVPs. But he is certainly good enough to hold a starting job somewhere. A team would need to provide an opportunity, and Rodgers carries some baggage at this stage of his career some franchises may be fine avoiding. Though, it is not hard to see a few teams showing a degree of interest.
Sam Darnold will be the 2025 free agent class’ prize, should the Vikings not use their franchise tag on the surging starter. Russell Wilsonwants to re-sign with the Steelers, who are expected to pursue a second contract with their starter. But his value is somewhat murky right now. Minnesota’s second-best QB, Daniel Jones, will be a lower-cost option. Justin Fields would be as well, with Jameis Winston an unstable bridge for teams who do not project to land one of the top rookie arms. A host of backup-level options will once again hit the market as well.
The Jets still have Tyrod Taylor under contract; if Rodgers is not brought back, he would be a midlevel stopgap option. But a new GM-HC duo is coming — one that will bring a new offense for Taylor to learn, if he in fact is retained. It would cost more for the Jets to drop Rodgers in 2026 — due to a roster bonus that reminds of his 2023 Packers situation — than it would in 2025, when he would bring a $49MM dead money hit. Like the Broncos and Wilson, the Jets cannot designated Rodgers a post-June 1 cut — which would split the dead money between 2025 and ’26 — until March 12, the start of the 2025 league year. If the team’s new regime would be onboard with absorbing all of that $49MM in 2025, it could cut the cord in mid-February like the Raiders did with Derek Carr in 2023.
Expanding the board for Rodgers beyond New York, the Titans seem like a place to start. A Trade Rumors Front Office piece explored a Rodgers-Tennessee fit last month, and Will Levis has since been benched. The Titans added a host of pieces on offense (Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Lloyd Cushenberry, JC Latham) to improve Levis’ situation but did not see the additions matter much in that regard. With Brian Callahan and Ran Carthon not steering their ship into calm waters post-Mike Vrabel, a semi-desperate solution exists in Rodgers. Beyond Tennessee, some creativity may be necessary.
The Colts reside in a similar situation, having seen 2023 draftee Anthony Richardson display one of the modern NFL’s worst completion percentages. He is still carrying a 47.7% completion rate; only six passers have previously posted sub-50% accuracy numbers (minimum 200 attempts) in a season this century. The Colts have obviously tried the veteran route extensively post-Andrew Luck, with the Matt Ryan experiment potentially making Rodgers a non-starter. But Indianapolis probably will need to look into competition for Richardson in 2025. Its quartet of Day 2 wideout investments, all under contract next year, would benefit from a significant accuracy upgrade.
The Browns are believed to be interested in Darnold; would a regime that has moved onto hotter seats, then, be interested in Rodgers? The latter would not cost as much as Darnold soon will, though a QB contract beyond the rookie-scale level will be an issue for a Browns team stuck with Deshaun Watson. The team is planning to retain the wildly underwhelming starter in 2025, as it would cost $172MM to drop him. Even with Andrew Berry‘s penchant for void years that reduce cap charges in exchange for future hikes, a midlevel starter contract would be a complicated effort. But a veteran-laden Browns roster that observed Joe Flacco elevate Kevin Stefanski‘s offense would at least align with Rodgers’ shortened timeline.
If the Steelers cannot reach a deal with Wilson, their roster would also line up with a potential Rodgers one-off. On the surface, Rodgers’ antics probably do not mesh with this organization — as interesting as a fit with Mike Tomlin would be — though the team may still need to see how Wilson performs over the next few weeks to determine whether a substantial raise is called for. How different Wilson and Rodgers’ price points will be also checks in as an issue for what still seems like a poor fit in Pittsburgh, even though the team — which famously does not negotiate in-season — has both Wilson and Justin Fields due for free agency.
The Raiders dropped several spots in the draft order thanks to their Week 16 win over the Jaguars, and Rodgers did have them on his destination list during his 2021 offseason standoff with the Packers. That said, the Raiders are squarely in rebuilding mode and do not seem a likely landing spot. With the Giants now moving toward the No. 1 overall pick, neither do they.
We fired up a similar poll two years ago, as rumors circulated about Tom Brady being likely to leave the Buccaneers after 2022. The legendary passer was connected to teams but did not end up playing again, retiring for a second time. Rodgers, who classified himself as “90% retired” two offseasons ago before joining the Jets will have retirement squarely in play once again. Will the future first-ballot Hall of Famer take that route or end up with one of these teams? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
December 20th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson
Thursday brought a strange revelation from Jets headquarters, bringing Madden into the strange role of roster determinations. Beyond the Jerry Jeudynear-trade quickly becoming one of the odder what-ifs in recent NFL history, the Jets may need to run through some other matters as they attempt to make quality GM and HC hires.
Some of the dysfunction reported does stem from Aaron Rodgers, who effectively kept Nathaniel Hackett employed as the team’s play-caller coming into the season. Before the Jets launched a stealth search for a coach who would cut into Hackett’s duties, The Athletic’s well-detailed Dianna Russini, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Silver report indicates Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall expressed were not happy with the embattled OC throughout last season (subscription required). This may well have led to a meeting that helped the Rodgers-Woody Johnson relationship reach its present point.
Rumblings circulated that Johnson wanted to fire Hackett after the 2023 season, but Rodgers is believed to have stepped in to prevent that from happening. Rodgers has been close with Hackett since their Green Bay days, long stumping for the veteran OC. This included an offseason meeting with Johnson that “didn’t go over well” with the owner, per The Athletic. Rodgers had brought up this matter with Johnson. Months later, the owner attempted to have the QB benched.
Shortly after that benching effort, Johnson went around GM Joe Douglas and fired Robert Saleh. While Rodgers was accused of being complicit in that ouster, The Athletic notes the quarterback’s conversation with Johnson included a request the owner remain patient with the head coach. This also runs counter to Johnson’s claim the two did not discuss Saleh in that meeting. As could be expected, Rodgers had also told Saleh he disagreed with the then-HC’s decision to demote Hackett — a move interim HC Jeff Ulbrich ended up carrying out anyway.
Going back to Rodgers’ lost 2023 season, the Jets being mathematically eliminated in Week 14 had led Rodgers to cool down his crusade to return from his Achilles tear before season’s end and instead gear up for 2024. This involved continuing to rehab in Los Angeles, but The Athletic adds Johnson pushed the quarterback to come back to New York and return to practice. This prompted the Jets to use one of their injury activations on a player who did not end up playing again. Rodgers expressed disappointment he was activated as it cost fullback Nick Bawden a roster spot. Rodgers said during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the activation — which occurred in Week 16 — was not his idea.
Other strange quarterback incidents have occurred during Johnson’s recent years back from his role as ambassador to the United Kingdom. He is believed to have criticized then-starter Mike White in front of other players, following a Week 17 loss to the Seahawks in which White played through broken ribs. Allegedly saying, “You should throw your helmet; you f—– suck” in reference to White postgame, per Russini, Rosenblatt and Silver. Johnson later apologized to the QB once the owner’s comments eventually got back to him, per a Jets spokesperson. White left in free agency weeks later, leaving the Jets without veteran protection once Rodgers went down.
Postgame criticism from the Johnsons has not been isolated to quarterbacks, as The Athletic adds the owner’s teenage sons — Brick and Jack — were heard “loudly” criticizing multiple players after the Jets’ Week 17 loss to the Browns in 2023. In a separate matter related to access, Johnson also had members of his investment group at Jets draft and free agency meetings this year. These revelations, among others involving access to the team’s locker room, will not exactly endear the Jets to free agents.
Additionally, in a matter perhaps stranger than the Jeudy process, Johnson is believed to have told Douglas to keep the Jets’ Mr. Irrelevant draft choice (No. 257) and instead trade 256 to the Broncos. Denver had asked for No. 257 in the pick-swap trade forZach Wilson, but the teams ended up finalizing a weeks-long negotiation in a trade that included No. 256 going from Denver to New York. This would be a rather shocking footnote for an eventful Jets year, as this report would have Johnson valuing Mr. Irrelevant-related publicity over a slightly better pick.
White and Wilson are long gone, while Rodgers is viewed as on his way out. But the 2024 Jets draft also included another quarterback, Jordan Travis, chosen in the fifth round. This will amount to a redshirt season for the Florida State alum, who has been on the reserve/NFI list throughout the season. Ulbrich said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) the ankle injury that altered the Seminoles’ CFP hopes last year remains an issue, indicating Travis has suffered setbacks in his recovery this year.
Unlike Hendon Hooker last year, Travis does not appear set to move onto his team’s active roster before season’s end. This would mean Travis’ contract would toll, extending his rookie deal through 2028. Travis has bigger hurdles to navigate in the short term, however.
Johnson is viewed as likely to stay with the Jets following this season. The news of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration tabbing someone else (banker Warren Stevens) as the UK ambassador surprised Johnson, according to The Athletic. The owner will continue to play the lead role in hiring a coach and GM, doing so after brother Christopher Johnson hired Douglas and Saleh. Some hesitation from candidates certainly could be part of the fallout from recent events becoming public.
December 18th, 2024 at 10:14pm CST by Sam Robinson
In the Jets’ Week 15 win over the Jaguars, Aaron Rodgers posted his first 300-yard passing game since the 2021 season. Showcasing his rapport with Davante Adams, Rodgers may also have continued to make his case he can be a team’s starter in 2025.
Rodgers has gone from leaning toward playing next season to being undecided. The four-time MVP again said he would take time to process his future after the season. Though, he added (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) a Jets release could come soon after the season. The Jets could designate Rodgers a post-June 1 cut, but were they to do so, the transaction cannot occur until the start of the 2025 league year (March 12). If the Jets are keen on taking a $49MM dead money hit in 2025, they could release Rodgers in February.
It is interesting to hear a starting quarterback assess his future in this way, though Rodgers has obviously become a rather outspoken presence over the past few years. The Jets are widely believed to be ready to move on at season’s end. Woody Johnson attempted to have the decorated QB benched on at least one occasion, with another effort also rumored to have taken place. With the Jets readying to start over at GM and HC, that duo is expected to look for a new starting quarterback as well.
The Raiders and Giants, however, have the inside track to the 2025 draft’s top two quarterback prospects — Shedeur Sandersand Cam Ward. (At 4-10, the Jets are projected to pick eighth.) In a QB class not viewed as particularly special, the Giants and Raiders finishing with the league’s two worst records could force other teams to look more closely at free agency or the trade market. The Jets have a player other teams would seemingly consider, baggage and all, but Rodgers has said his first choice would be to remain a Jet. He added another detail to this stance Wednesday, indicating (via Hughes) he would be open to a contract adjustment to stay.
Rodgers, 41, did not limit potential solutions to a pay cut. Though, a restructure would push more money into the future; it would be unlikely if a new Jets regime was ready to go down that road. It would already cost the team $49MM in dead money — as of now, that would be the second-highest single-player total in NFL history — for the Jets to release Rodgers. They could split that amount through two years with a post-June 1 cut.
Similar to his 2023 Packers arrangement, Rodgers is due a $35MM roster bonus that can be paid at any point before Week 1, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. That timeline gave the Packers flexibility to move on, executing a trade in late April of last year. The Jets are unlikely to have a comparable trade market, though Rodgers being open to a few solutions could also include reducing the bonus number. Of course, he could simply force a release and keep the contract as is. Rodgers would still have full control over a trade destination due to a no-trade clause, but given the developments over the past two seasons, it would be more realistic if he were released.
Rodgers’ latest complex contract would also make him more expensive to cut in 2026 than 2025, per ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini, who notes the dead cap charge would increase to $63MM if the Jets retain him in ’25 and move on a year later. The option bonus being paid by the Jets before Week 1 of next season would prorate through the contract’s life (four void years are on the deal) and accelerate onto their 2026 cap sheet. The Broncos faced a somewhat similar situation with Russell Wilson, whose 2025 salary guarantee would have made him a bit more expensive to drop in 2025 compared to a 2024 release. Denver ended up biting the bullet, producing an $83MM-plus dead money total that shattered the NFL record.
Through that lens, the Jets keeping Rodgers in 2025 on his current contract may be a nonstarter. But the 20-year veteran did accept a significant pay cut in 2023 to help the Jets, removing roughly $35MM from his deal in August of last year. Another such move may be the only decision that could keep him in New York.
Regardless of Rodgers’ 2025 status, the Jets are expected to draft a quarterback, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Jets did not bring in an heir apparent in 2023 or ’24, centering their plan on their aging starter. Rodgers has experience in a team drafting a passer early, with the Packers’ 2020 Jordan Love trade-up famously rankling the QB and leading to the 2021 standoff. Green Bay brass not alerting Rodgers of that trade-up beforehand became a point of contention, but he still played three more seasons with the team. If Rodgers manages to stick around with the Jets, it likely would be for just one more season. Only void years remain on Rodgers’ contract beyond 2025.
As of now, the Jets are not expecting Johnson to be part of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. That would mean the longtime owner, who was away as the ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 through January 2021, would make the decision on Rodgers. Based on what we have heard thus far, Johnson would likely come down on the side of starting over.
If the Jets do not hold a top-two pick, their options may narrow to the point keeping Rodgers could become a consideration. How Rodgers plays over the team’s final three games and how he approaches the offseason will contribute to the Jets’ near-future plan, as the prospect of an all-time QB great hitting free agency at 41 will loom barring a significant change.
It would then be understandable if the sides reached a resolution of sorts, as Rodgers has played through injuries separate from his Achilles — an injury that defined his 2023 season — for much of this year. An IR placement or outright benching emerged as a potential solution here, but interim HC Jeff Ulbrich pushed back on that coming out of a bye week. After a loss to the Seahawks, the Jets are not changing course.
Ulbrich announced Monday (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) that Rodgers will remain the team’s starter for its Week 14 game — and for the season’s remainder. Ulbrich was less definitive when asked about his starter following the Jets’ Week 13 loss but returned to form today by indicating Rodgers can still play at a “high level.” The interim boss also indicated Rodgers’ decorated resume is part of the conversation here.
Rodgers said in mid-November he wanted to keep playing beyond 2024, comments in line with his previous New York-era stances, but walked that back last week by noting he was not yet sure. The increasingly outspoken QB also said he wanted to play for Ulbrich in New York again next season, though he stopped short (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) of ruling out playing for another coach in 2025. Considering how poorly the Jets have fared, Ulbrich has next to no chance of returning as their HC. The team has already brought in The33rdteam.com’s Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielmanto run the upcoming searches, one that will undoubtedly tab outside HC and GM hires.
This is potentially the least amount of leverage Rodgers has held in his NFL career. After being given considerable power upon being traded to New York, Rodgers has not shown much of his MVP-level form. That continued Sunday, when the 20th-year veteran missed a wide-open Garrett Wilson for a score and then threw a pick-six to Leonard Williams on the ensuing play. Likely on his way out after two Jets seasons, Rodgers profiles as a lame duck.
The Jets appear prepared to eat the second-most dead money for a single player in NFL history ($49MM) next year to start fresh. For what it’s worth, Ulbrich attributes (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) much of Rodgers’ struggles this season to the injuries he has sustained. Rodgers has battled hamstring, knee and ankle maladies this season. Though, he was off Gang Green’s injury report in Week 13.
Rodgers’ Achilles tear and spate of nagging issues this season will naturally affect his chances of playing in 2025. Interest may well emerge for a diminished version of the four-time MVP, but a free agency foray is highly unlikely to approach the level of interest Tom Brady did when he hit the market ahead of an age-43 season in 2020. That and maybe Warren Moon‘s 1997 free agency bid (when the former Oilers and Vikings starter joined the Seahawks before his age-41 campaign) are about the only parallels to what a Rodgers FA effort may look like.
As for this season, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler addsWoody Johnson may not have confined his calls for a Rodgers benching to merely the post-Week 4 effort. Johnson making another push for the high-priced passer to be benched for Tyrod Taylor would obviously be notable, as it certainly increases the likelihood Rodgers is off the Jets’ roster next year. It also could point to ownership again intervening at QB late this season.
Although a recent report attempted to pour cold water on the drama between Johnson and Rodgers, the 77-year-old owner has taken considerable heat for impeding former GM Joe Douglas during the final year of his run. Johnson’s outsized role figures to be a key topic when interviews for the Jets’ GM and HC positions begin.
November 26th, 2024 at 10:44pm CST by Sam Robinson
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?
November 25th, 2024 at 10:08pm CST by Sam Robinson
Rumblings about an imminent Jets divorce withAaron 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.
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.
Jets owner Woody Johnson‘s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in back-to-back months has painted a picture of a dysfunctional franchise rife with drama in the front office and the locker room.
After losing all of the 2023 season due to an Achilles tear, Rodgers has struggled to stay fully healthy this year, landing on the injury report several times due to issues with his hamstring, knee, and ankle. The mercurial quarterback has still started every game this season, playing 98% of the Jets’ offensive snaps to date.
However, it remains unclear exactly how banged up Rodgers is. He has refused medical scans on his leg injuries to avoid revealing their severity so he can keep playing, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. His September 29 hamstring injury “was believed to be a particularly significant one,” but the 40-year-old insisted that it was not significant and refused to consider taking a game off to recover. A stint on injured reserve has been floated as a way to force Rodgers to heal from his injuries while allowing him to save face publicly.
Rodgers’ injury struggles in New York – which have led to one of the worst statistical seasons of his career – have stirred doubt about his future as a Jet. As recently as November 14, Rodgers has confirmed his desire to play in 2025, though he was noncommittal about returning to the Jets for a third season. He reportedly desires a more stable situation, which has not been applicable to the Jets for several years. However, it is fair to wonder how much Rodgers contributed to the Jets’ instability over the past two years, between the arduous process for his acquisition, his subsequent influence over team personnel decisions, and his struggles to remain healthy.
Most signs are pointing to a mutual parting of ways after this season, with league executives predicting that the Jets will designated Rodgers as a post-June 1 release during the offseason, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. The team’s new head coach and/or general manager may prefer to move on from Rodgers and look for a new quarterback around whom they can rebuild. Rodgers would then be a 41-year-old free agent coming off the worst two-year stretch of his career and may not draw as much interest compared to when he wanted to leave Green Bay.
Barring a late addition, the Jets’ first round of GM interviews included 15 individuals. One of those initial candidates is now off the market, as the Titans hired Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi for their top job. Cimini notes that Borgonzi was a strong candidate for New York’s gig.
