The 2025 NFL offseason is officially in full swing, and as the teams start reshaping their rosters, the spotlight is turning to the New York Jets. With a new head coach at the helm—Aaron Glenn—the Jets are looking to shake things up after a disappointing 2024 season. For fans, this is more than just change; it’s a call for significant improvement.
One of the most notable moves? The Jets have officially parted ways with Aaron Rodgers, leaving everyone wondering about his next steps: will he hang up his cleats for good or continue his storied career elsewhere?
As we examine the landscape, several teams are already being mentioned as potential destinations for Rodgers. Among them are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants. However, the Cleveland Browns could be rising as a surprising frontrunner in this race.
So, what led to the Jets’ decision to release Aaron Rodgers? It’s a mix of stats and aging athlete realities. While Rodgers wrapped up the season showing signs of improvement, with an average of 6.7 yards per attempt resulting in 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, the cracks in the armor were hard to ignore. Known for his acute pocket awareness and clutch performance, Rodgers occasionally appeared unsure on the field. This disconnect contributed to an offense that often seemed stagnant and lifeless.
That said, there was a silver lining as the season progressed. After overcoming his Achilles injury, Rodgers demonstrated he could still make plays, boasting over 200 yards in four out of his last five games. At 41, he might be winding down, but with the right scheme and support, he could still be a competent leader on offense.
Enter the Cleveland Browns, who are actively searching for a quarterback after Deshaun Watson’s devastating Achilles injury. Watson is facing a lengthy recovery, which could effectively sideline him for the entirety of the 2025 season. With that context, finding a capable QB has become imperative.
Adding Rodgers could alleviate some of the immediate pressure, although the Browns find themselves in a tight spot financially, sitting at -$30,168,764 in cap space. They’d need to execute some creative financial maneuvers to fit Rodgers into their roster, but the incentive is clear: bringing in a veteran like Rodgers would stabilize the franchise while avoiding the complications of a trade and the loss of valuable draft picks.
Furthermore, signing Rodgers would enable the Browns to still target a young quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft. This strategy would allow the rookie to develop at a comfortable pace, learning from a future Hall of Famer in the process—an ideal situation for a team with aspirations of competing in the near future.
As we watch these developments unfold, it’s clear that the upcoming choices for both Rodgers and the Browns could set the tone for their respective futures, making this offseason one to keep a close eye on.
