Aaron Rodgers will turn 41-years-old in just over a month, and unfortunately for the New York Jets, he hasn’t played like the four-time MVP they thought they were getting.
After suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury last year, Rodgers returned this season but has struggled to lead the Jets to success, starting the season with a disappointing 2-5 record.
Even a bold trade for star wide receiver Davante Adams may not be enough to salvage what’s becoming a rough season for the Jets.
When Rodgers first arrived in New York, he expressed his desire to stick around for multiple seasons and even aimed to win a Super Bowl or two with the franchise.
However, rumors are swirling that Rodgers’ time in New York could be much shorter than expected. According to ESPN’s Jets insider Rich Cimini, it’s hard to imagine Rodgers returning in 2025.
“Honestly I don’t know if there’s any scenario where [Aaron Rodgers] would come back’ in 2025,” Cimini said on the Flight Deck Podcast.
“He’s just not playing well, I think his body is beat up, I think if the Jets miss the playoffs, which it certainly appears they will, the Jets will start over next year.
“I’m not basing that on anything Rodgers told me or anyone in his circle told me. I just think this is probably going to be his final season. Again, just gut feeling, reading the tea leaves, that’s what I see.”
While Rodgers is far from the only issue with the Jets, he shoulders more responsibility than anyone. That’s just the way it goes – and to be honest, that’s exactly how he likes it.
Having said that, he’s taken quite a beating – both on the field and in the media.
Speaking on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike,” Super Bowl champion turned NFL analyst, Chris Canty, went as far as calling Rodgers a “cancer”
“The last couple of years in Green Bay, we suspected that Aaron Rodgers could be a little bit toxic, especially with a young team,” Canty said. “I had no idea that it would be this bad. I mean, this guy is like a cancer that has metastasized within the New York Jets organization. And I don’t know how they fix it.”
While Cimini admitted that he has no inside knowledge of an impending Rodgers retirement, his opinion does carry weight. After all, he’s one of the longest-tenured and most-connected reporters on the Jets beat.
With Rodgers possibly retiring after the season, it seems like the perfect time for the Jets to hike up the price on 2025 season tickets, doesn’t it?
“Jets season ticket invoice came out today. 6% increase. On top of 30% last year. First payment due 11/15/24. The team is 2-5. Tough times @nyjets,” a season ticket holder posted on X.
Despite the grim outlook, we all know Rodgers is more than capable of turning everything around.
He’s one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history and when the offensive line gives him time he’s shown that he still has plenty of juice left in his arm.
Having said that, the clock is ticking on both Rodgers and the Jets.
What are your thoughts on Cimini’s prediction that Rodgers will be retiring after this season???
