The cameras formed a ring around Aaron Rodgers as he began the slow, short walk towards the tunnel.
Much of MetLife Stadium had emptied long before the end of this season-ending win against the Miami Dolphins. Many more supporters had reached the parking lot by the time Rodgers left the field.
But behind the Jets bench, near the walkway that leads to the home locker room, it was standing room only. Fans crammed in and jostled for a look at the 41-year-old quarterback. Some draped jerseys over the advertising boards. Others waved or clapped or lifted their cell phones to the sky.
Rodgers responded by raising his left hand and saluting the stands. He tapped one out-stretched arm and then he headed out of sight. For one last time?
Only he knows. Only time will tell. Only one thing is certain: Rodgers hasn’t lost his love for theater.
Almost two years ago – to the day – Rodgers wandered off Lambeau Field for the final time as a Green Bay Packer. He made sure close friend Randall Cobb was by his side. Cobb was here on Sunday but this time, Rodgers was flanked by another of his best buddies, Davante Adams. ‘That meant a lot,’ he said.
Aaron Rodgers waves goodbye to fans as he leaves the field for perhaps the final time
Rodgers revealed he will hold talks with the Jets in the next 24 hours over his NFL future
The quarterback led the Jets to victory over the Dolphins in what could be his final NFL game
They have formed one of the best quarterback-receiver partnerships this league has ever seen. And against the Dolphins they combined to end a miserable (5-12) season with a win. For Rodgers, it could be a parting gift.
This is expected to be his final game for New York. It could be the 41-year-old’s final ever appearance in the NFL.
If this is it? Well, there are worse ways to bow out. Rodgers made more history and led New York to a 32-20 win.
But it’s not quite what he promised. Back in April 2023, the quarterback vowed to lead the Jets to a second Super Bowl. In the end? Over these past two seasons he came closer to the presidential ticket than the playoffs, let alone a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
On Sunday, Rodgers provided flashes of his enduring quality and threw for four scores – the most he has managed in any Jets game. He reached another milestone of a glittering career, too, becoming the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach 500 touchdown passes.
Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre are the only others to break that barrier. And yet it felt rather fitting that Rodgers joined the 500 club like this. In a meaningless game. With barely anyone here to witness it.
Even with a four-time MVP under center, the Jets remain a laughing stock. And the gallows humor continued on Sunday. Rodgers threw an interception with his very first pass. He lined up at wide receiver. A trick play saw Allen Lazard attempt a touchdown pass to the quarterback. It was comical. But also a bit sad.
To think that fewer than 500 days have passed since electricity and energy surged around this slice of New Jersey for all of three plays. Then Rodgers went down and all hope and anticipation evaporated.
Rodgers threw for four scores – the most he has managed in any game as a Jets player
The 41-year-old combined with Davante Adams as the Jets secured victory at MetLife Stadium
Rodgers celebrates with offensive lineman Max Mitchell after throwing his 500th career TD
It has never returned. On that opening night of the 2023 season, the quarterback emerged – carrying the Stars and Stripes – into a wall of noise and color. He headed back towards the locker room on Sunday after what he has called ‘the best two years of (his) life’.
But by then the sun had set. On a miserable season. Perhaps on an era that once promised so much and a career that delivered so much.
Hours earlier, the fans who trickled off the trains at Meadowlands were met by blue skies but also a biting wind and rumors that had begun to swirl: yes, this really could be it.
Reports emerged that several people close to Rodgers had begun to prepare for life after the NFL.
Rodgers teased that possibility earlier in the week as he reflected on all he has given to this game and all it has afforded him. Those last 20 years would not be on his mind, Rodgers insisted, when it came to game day. But it must have been hard not to glance up at the big screen.
As the Jets wrapped up warmups, the jumbotron showed the closing moments of the Chicago Bears’ win at the Green Bay Packers. At Lambeau Field, where it all began for Rodgers back in September 2008.
The Packers – where Rodgers spent 18 seasons – are preparing for the playoffs; here, they can’t even unfurl a flag without a hitch. Shortly before kickoff, dozens of fans fanned out across the field holding a giant, green Jets flag. It was the wrong way up.
Rodgers’ first pass of the game against the Miami Dolphins was intercepted by the defense
The 41-year-old locked arms with Adams and Allen Lazard during the national anthem
The flag had disappeared by the time the players lined up for the national anthem. Rodgers locked arms with Adams and then attempted to link up with his old friend. The pass was picked off; Rodgers could only shake his head.
A few minutes later, Rodgers and Adams exchanged laterals and the receiver was crushed. Three targets across two drives and, all the Jets had to show for it? One interception and negative one yards.
A grim start but a neat illustration of how – at the Jets – not much works like it should. Or, in the case of Rodgers and Adams, as it once did. They made up for those early blunders – in some style. But, still, what a tough couple of years these have been.
Even after returning to the field, the quarterback has been in rehab – at least that’s how it’s felt to him. Even with this victory, New York had a higher win percentage with Zach Wilson under center.
That isn’t solely on Rodgers, of course. The Jets are a broken organization without a head coach or a general manager. It looks almost certain that they’ll need a new quarterback soon, too. They won’t find one as experienced or decorated as Rodgers.
Rodgers went to 500 with a short pass to Tyler Conklin. He kept the ball and then he moved to 501 by finding Lazard. Touchdowns 502 and 503 made victory safe. They came via short passes – to Adams and then to Breece Hall – and ensured Rodgers ended the game with 274 yards.
Now the time has come to choose what comes next. To decide if this really is goodbye.
