The New York Jets cleaned house atop their organization following consecutive disappointing seasons. With a new head coach and general manager in place, the lingering question centers around quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future with the team.
Rodgers, who has hinted at potentially retiring, hasn’t announced whether or not he will return to the NFL next season. However, a return to New York isn’t necessarily up to him with first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey ultimately determining if the future Hall of Famer will be welcomed back.
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According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, the Jets and Rodgers have been discussing the quarterback’s future with the team in recent weeks. While a final call hasn’t been made, New York reportedly could make its final decision this coming week.
There is a case to keep him that the new Jets regime would be open to. However, per Rapoport, it would require Rodgers to make concessions on both his salary and his involvement with the team this offseason.
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“But keeping Rodgers would give the Jets’ new regime optionality in free agency and the draft by relieving some of the pressure to find an immediate answer at the most important position. If Rodgers stays, he’d almost surely have to take a pay cut…Rodgers likely also needs to commit to being with the Jets during the offseason program to learn a new system under first-time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand”
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the New York Jets.
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- Aaron Rodgers contract (Spotrac): $23.5 million cap hit in 2025, $37.5 million base salary
If Rodgers isn’t willing to take a pay cut and doesn’t commit to being a part of the team’s offseason practices, it makes the decision easy for New York. Designating Rodgers as a post-June 1 release would free up $9.5 million and allow the new-look front office to focus on finding its next quarterback.
However, Rodgers’ performance late in the regular season did showcase that he could still be an above-average starter. From Weeks 11-18, he posted a 13-4 TD-INT ratio with a 96.1 QB rating, averaging 7.03 yards per attempt with a 63.95% completion rate. Bringing him back would buy New York time to find his successor and it would help provide stability for the offense next season.
Ultimately, the decision will seemingly come down to whether or not Rodgers is willing to make sacrifices to return. The 41-year-old quarterback said in December that he’s willing to take a pay cut, but it’s unknown if he’s willing to make the time and leadership commitments the team wants.
