The New York Jets have decided to part ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, informing the future Hall of Famer that he won’t be returning for the 2025 season.
In a statement released Thursday, the organization confirmed it met with the 41-year-old quarterback last week to deliver the news.
“We have decided to go in a different direction at quarterback next season,” the team said. “We appreciate everything Aaron has done for this franchise and wish him the best moving forward.”
This decision comes amid sweeping changes within the franchise, as new general manager Darren Mougey and new head coach Aaron Glenn take the reins.
While Rodgers has yet to announce whether he plans to continue playing in what would be his 21st NFL season, the Jets have officially closed the door on his return.
Rodgers, a four-time MVP and just the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 career touchdown passes, still has one year remaining on his contract. However, that money is non-guaranteed, meaning the Jets can cut ties without owing him additional salary.
That doesn’t mean the move comes without financial consequences…
New York faces a staggering $49 million dead cap hit unless they choose to designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 release, which would allow them to spread the charge across two seasons instead.
The Jets acquired Rodgers in April 2023 via trade with the Green Bay Packers, hoping the veteran quarterback could finally lead them back to the Super Bowl for the first time since Joe Namath and the 1968 season.
The hype and hoopla was off the charts and the expectations couldn’t possibly be higher.
But at the end of the day, the brief Rodgers-Jets partnership will go down as one of the worst experiments in NFL history.
Of course, Jets fans are left wondering what could have been had Rodgers not gotten hurt just four offensive plays into the 2023 season.
The injury derailed Gang Green’s Super Bowl aspirations before they even got off the ground.
After a lengthy rehab process, Rodgers returned as the starter for the 2024 season, but neither he nor the offense found their rhythm.
In truth, Rodgers was far down on the list of who to blame for the disappointing 5-12 season. Regardless, the end result is the Jets hitting the reset button once again.
While Rodgers’ future remains uncertain, Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby floated an interesting suggestion on his podcast, The Rush.
“Bro, send him to Minnesota,” Crosby confidently said. “If they don’t bring back [Sam] Darnold, I would get Rodgers. Why not? Imagine him with [Kevin] O’Connell; then [Justin] Jefferson and [Jordan] Addison?
“Every quarterback that has played under O’Connell f*cking lights sh*t up. From Kirk [Cousins] to Darnold, all those guys. Get Rodgers for a year or two, then you have Rodgers vs. the Lions again. That would low-key be lit.”
Whether Minnesota – or perhaps the Steelers or Raiders – would seriously consider adding Rodgers remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: his time in New York is officially over. (Unless he ends up with the Giants!)
What are your thoughts on Crosby’s comments? … Where do you think Rodgers will end up???
(As for Crosby, there are rumors that he could find himself in the NFC North as well…)
