The New York Jets have announced that they have informed quarterback Aaron Rodgers that they intend to move on from him under centre in 2025 per a statement on the team website.
“Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” said HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey in a statement released by the team. “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.”
“I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets,” said Chairman Woody Johnson in a statement released by the team. “His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career. From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. 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.”
Coming off a torn Achilles tendon, Rodgers started 17 games for New York in 2024, posting a 5-12 record along the way. While the Jets didn’t pinpoint any particular reason for the decision, rumours had been circulating around NFL circles for weeks that there was a growing rift in the locker room between the camp that supported Rodgers, and those who would prefer to see him gone. Not wanting to exacerbate the issue more heading into the offseason, it would appear as though the Jets opted for a fresh start under new head coach Aaron Glenn rather than trying to run things back and hoping for different results.
The 41 year old signal caller threw for 3,897 yards and 28 TDs last season, both of which were good for 3rd place all time in terms of single season QB performances in Jets history. However the team’s less than stellar record, and off field issues were clearly enough to warrant a change of direction in the front office’s mind.
With Rodgers gone, New York will enter 2025 with Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis, and Adrian Martinez as in house options to serve as QB1. However, in all likelihood the move means that management will likely be aggressive in targeting a quarterback via free agency, trade, or the NFL Draft.
The Jets currently own the 7th overall pick in the 2025 Draft, though it’s largely expected that the top 2 quarterbacks in Miami’s Cam Ward, and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders would both be gone by then. That means New York could look to target someone like Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins, dabble in the free agent pool for someone like former Jet Sam Darnold, or swing for the fences to move up and try to draft their QB of the future this spring.
For his part, Rodgers has yet to comment definitively on his decision for 2025 in terms of whether he plans to retire or will seek a new contract elsewhere. However, previous interviews paint the picture that he would be open to another NFL campaign if the right situation were to present itself.
Photo: Jim Greenhill. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.