The New York Jets have entered the 2025 offseason with a renewed leadership team and a major roster decision looming: whether to retain star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
At a press conference introducing new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, team owner Woody Johnson pledged to take a backseat and let his newly appointed leaders steer the course.
“Aaron’s a talent, for sure. He’s a Hall of Famer. … I’m not going to voice my opinion. (But) That’s up to them,” Johnson said of Rodgers.
Johnson’s comments mark a significant shift from last year when, by all accounts, he took a much more active role in team affairs – a move that coincided with a disappointing season.
Critics have since blamed Johnson’s involvement for some of the Jets’ struggles. When asked about these reports, Johnson downplayed the narrative.
“You don’t believe those reports, do you?” Johnson said. “It was a lot of exaggeration and hyperbole, it really was. You really have to take all that stuff with a grain of salt because you don’t know how much – nobody knows how involved I was.
“Yes, I want Aaron Glenn to coach the team. I want the general manager to manage the assets and the players, and I’ll take the owner’s position.”
Despite his denials, Johnson did acknowledge his need for personal improvement.
“Absolutely, I have to look in the mirror, and I have to be a better owner. And I’m trying to be better,” he admitted.
At the same press conference, Glenn made it clear that the Jets’ future isn’t solely tied to Rodgers, stressing the importance of building a strong overall roster.
“This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers, folks,” Glenn said.. “This is about the roster. We plan on building the best roster that we can. So, whatever that may be – guard, tackle, defensive tackle – that’s what we’re evaluating.”
When pressed further about Rodgers’ future, Glenn firmly shut down speculation.
“We’re still in the evaluation mode, so for anybody else who’s going to ask that, I’m going to give you the same answer. So don’t waste your time. We clear?” Glenn said.
Mougey echoed the sentiment of respect for Rodgers while focusing on the broader picture.
“First and foremost, I’ve got the utmost respect for Aaron Rogers and what he’s done in this league as a player. (He’s) one of the greatest of all time to play the position – one of the greatest players of all time,” Mougey said.
Johnson’s comments suggest a desire to let his football staff take the reins, a departure from the more hands-on approach reportedly taken during these past few seasons.
That approach failed to yield success, as the Jets fell far short of expectations.
For Jets fans, the question remains whether Johnson can truly relinquish control and whether Glenn and Mougey can deliver results.
After years of underperformance and over five decades without a Super Bowl win, the Jets remain a franchise in search of a long-awaited breakthrough.
With the football operation brain-trust now in place, all the attention turns to the pivotal Aaron Rodgers decision.
What do YOU think the Jets should do? … Assuming Rodgers wants to continue playing, should the Jets keep him? Trade him? Release him? … What’s the best course of action???
