The New York Jets are struggling and QB Aaron Rodgers appears to have had enough. The four-time NFL MVP left the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 offseason, but he is reportedly already done with the Jets and appears to be headed for a departure.
According to Dianna Russinisenior NFL insider at The Athletic, the New York Jets are officially becoming candidates for the Super Bowl to rebuilding the franchise. At the start of the year, the sports director Robert Saleh has already been fired and, earlier this week, the general manager Joe Douglas was also fired. Saleh et Douglas introduced their newest and most important acquisition in recent Jets history in 2023: QB Aaron Rodgers. Four-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion and widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
The Jets wanted to say goodbye to a period where they became the franchise with the longest absence from the playoffs. A lot of money was spent in free agency, big contracts were given to star players, and trades were made for some of the biggest names in the NFL. But the ending was tragic: in 2023, the Jets were the “same” Jets and this year, the year Aaron Rodgers was finally in good shape and expected to lead the team to success, turned into a general drama with a record of 3-8 and the playoffs further away than ever.
Rodgers has had enough
According to Russians, the dismissal of Douglas and the general malaise of the Jets are a reason to Rodgers, which itself regularly disappoints for a player of his stature, to possibly put an end to this adventure. Russians reports that the Jets are increasingly considering placing Rodgers on the injured list, which would officially end his season, or simply put him on the bench. There is no more optimism or hope within the Jets organization, but it seems to be costing them more than this season.
Rodgers is deeply unhappy with the way the organization is run and doesn’t appear to want to play for the Jets in 2025. Rodgers, who turns 41 in less than two weeks, has a current contract in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and is paid handsomely: the QB signed a three-year contract worth $112 million in 2023 , of which $75 million is guaranteed. If Rodgers leaves before the 2025/26 season, he will still cost the Jets $49 million in dead cap money.
The general non-exchange clause contained in the contract of Rodgers also means it cannot be exchanged. So it’s either tear up the contract or sit back and let the contract expire. But at his age, Rodgers doesn’t have many options left.
