Aaron Rodgers era is over with Jets: They’re going ‘in a different direction at quarterback’
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The Aaron Rodgers era is over for the New York Jets.
Days after reports surfaced that the Jets were moving on after two disappointing seasons with the four-time NFL most valuable player, the team made it official Thursday.
“Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey said in a statement. “It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”
Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer reported Sunday at Super Bowl LIX that Rodgers flew to New Jersey last week to discuss his future with the organization “only to be told that the team was moving on from him.”
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It is unknown whether the 41-year-old quarterback wants to return for a 21st season with a third NFL team. He said late last season that before making any decision on his future, he wanted “a break mentally to kind of refresh and put my feet in the sand, and see where I’m at after that.”
Rogers was selected No. 24 overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2005 draft. He spent three years as Brett Favre’s backup before becoming the starting quarterback, leading the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV and to the NFC championship game four more times.
Traded to the Jets in April 2023, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury on just his fourth offensive snap of the season.
He returned in 2024 but with disappointing results. The Jets finished 5-12 — with Rodgers completing 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions — and appeared ready to start with a clean slate after hiring Glenn and Mougey in January.
The Rams won’t have to game plan for star receiver Davante Adams before playing the Raiders on Sunday because he’s been traded to the Jets. He’s teaming up with Aaron Rodgers again.
Rodgers has one year remaining on his contract for a nonguaranteed $37.5 million and would have counted as $23.5 million against the salary cap. The Jets will have $49 million in dead money next season if they cut Rodgers before June 1 or can spread that out over two seasons if they wait until afterward.
“From Day One, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement of Rodgers, who went 6-12 with the Jets. “That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”
