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Aaron Rodgers' tenure with the New York Jets has been far from the success many had hoped for. After missing most of the 2023 season with an Achilles injury, Rodgers returned this year, helping the Jets to a 2-1 start. However, the team's fortunes quickly turned for the worse, and things have spiraled ever since. As the Jets continue to struggle with a 3-8 record, losing seven of their last eight games, speculation around Rodgers' future with the team has intensified.
Jets' Turmoil and Front Office Shake-Up
The Jets’ disappointing performance led to significant changes in the team's leadership. Head coach Robert Saleh was dismissed after the Jets fell to a 2-3 record, and general manager Joe Douglas was also let go in November. With playoff hopes now a distant dream, the focus has shifted to what the team will do with Rodgers in 2025.
Rodgers' Struggles and Health Concerns
Rodgers' performance this season has been underwhelming, marking one of the worst stretches of his career. With 2,442 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, the veteran quarterback has struggled to find consistency. This is the second time in the past eight years that Rodgers has thrown seven or more interceptions in a season. Additionally, his body has not been kind to him, with various leg injuries (including ankle, hamstring, and knee issues) further hampering his performance.
Despite some positive news that Rodgers was taken off the injury report ahead of Week 13, there is still uncertainty about his overall health. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently reported that it is a "long shot" for Rodgers to return to the Jets in 2025. The Jets would owe Rodgers $35 million in 2025 if they bring him back, but with his age (he’s approaching 41) and ongoing injury struggles, the decision is far from clear.
Uncertainty Surrounding 2025
Rodgers himself has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future with the Jets. On The Pat McAfee Show, he responded to rumors that he had already decided to leave the Jets after this season. "I don’t even know if I want to play yet, but New York would be my first option," Rodgers said, addressing reports that suggested he was intent on playing elsewhere. He made it clear that he had not ruled out a return to the Jets, saying:
"As far as my future goes, I haven’t told anybody in my life that I want to play in 2025 and not on the Jets. That’s 100% false. I actually said the opposite. I said that I’m going to wait and see what happens at the end of the season, and if they want me back, what happens with [interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich], what happens with the offensive staff, obviously the GM at the time. They just fired Joe."
Rodgers also emphasized that his future with the Jets is not solely in his hands. He added, "There’s a lot of things out of my control when it comes to that, but I’ve really enjoyed my time in New York... I’ve enjoyed my time in the city, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the fans. And I came here to win here. So I’m not jumping off ship like, ‘Oh, I definitely want to play and not in New York.’"
The Challenge of Aging and Injuries
The veteran quarterback has also spoken candidly about his age and the physical challenges that come with it. "When you’re 40 going on 41, you’re obviously at the end of your career, so obviously if it’s New York, they have to want me to be here, and then new GM, new staff, all have to want me to be with the Jets," Rodgers remarked. He further acknowledged that his physical condition will play a significant role in his decision-making process, stating:
"Then body-wise, got to see how I’m feeling, and if I want to sign up to go back to the grind."
Given the numerous injuries Rodgers has been dealing with—stemming from his Achilles tear in 2023, along with his ankle, hamstring, and knee problems—his future in the NFL, and with the Jets, remains in question.
As the Jets enter the final stretch of their 2024 season, it’s unclear whether this will be the last time fans see Aaron Rodgers in a Jets uniform. With significant questions surrounding his health, the team’s direction, and the hefty financial commitment required to bring him back in 2025, his future with the team hangs in the balance.
Ultimately, it appears that the final six games of the 2024 season will play a crucial role in determining whether Rodgers returns to the Jets in 2025 or moves on to a new chapter in his storied career.
