The New York Jets appear ready to move on from the Aaron Rodgers era, according to a report by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
There are still further discussions expected, but the ‘overwhelming’ belief is the team is likely moving forward without Rodgers as its quarterback in 2025, sources told the NFL insider.
The quarterback had teased the possibility of retiring or playing elsewhere. Last month, new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn insisted Rodgers is ‘under the microscope’ – just like every other player.
‘Aaron Rodgers will be talked about. We have texted our communication with Aaron Rodgers and [decisions will be made] as we continue to look at the roster,’ he said.
‘We’re going sit and talk and build the whole roster… we’re looking forward to that process. I can’t tell you how long that process will take… [but] we’re going to get the right answer.’
Later, Glenn insisted his job was bigger than one player or one position: ‘We have already text Aaron and me and [general manager Darren Mougey] are gonna sit there, and watch every game tape there is, and then we’re gonna look the whole roster.
The Jets appear ready to move on from the Aaron Rodgers era, according to a report
‘This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers, folks, this is about the roster. We plan on building the best roster that we can… listen, everybody’s under the microscope. That’s just what it is. So we’re gonna do the best we can to make sure we build a better best roster.’
Rodgers’ relationship with Woody Johnson came under intense scrutiny last season but the Jets owner insisted he would not have a say in the quarterback’s future.
‘I’m going to leave that to them, they have to take a look at how the team is composed and what they think they need and put all that together.’
When pressed on whether he would welcome Rodgers back, should Glenn and Mougey want to keep him, the owner said: ‘Absolutely. If they want Aaron back, Aaron’s a talent for sure, a Hall of Famer.’
The legendary quarterback made history in the season finale when he threw his 500th career touchdown in the Jets’ win over the Dolphins.
Glenn and new Jets general manager Darren Mougey were unveiled to the media in January
‘I’m gonna get home and relax,’ he told Fox Sports in an interview on the MetLife Stadium turf immediately after the game, adding: ‘But I’m not going to hold anyone up.
‘I’ll have conversations tomorrow with the Jets to see what they’re thinking, and then we will make a decision before it gets too late in the offseason.’
Later, in his post-game press conference, Rodgers admitted he doesn’t know if anything ‘definitive’ will come from those initial talks with the Jets.
Rodgers is slated to make a non-guaranteed $37.5million in 2025 with a dead cap hit of $49m as his salary cap total goes from $17.1m to $23.5m.
The Jets could spread the dead money over two years by releasing Rodgers with the use of post-June 1 designation. He has a no-trade clause in his contract so they would need his permission to make a deal.
The San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders have all been reported as possible destinations for Rodgers next season.
Rodgers joined the Jets in a widely celebrated move before the 2023 season, only to suffer a season-ending Achilles injury on the team’s opening drive that year.
Over 18 games, the Jets are just 6-12 when Rodgers has started as he’s thrown 28 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions.
