Aaron Rodgers Won’t Return as New York Jets Quarterback
The New York Jets have officially decided to part ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the team announced Thursday. The decision was communicated during a meeting between Rodgers, newly hired head coach Aaron Glenn, and general manager Darren Mougey.
“Last week, we met with him and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” Glenn and Mougey said in a joint statement. “This discussion was necessary to provide clarity and allow all parties to plan for the future. We appreciate his leadership, passion, and dedication to the organization and wish him the best moving forward.”
Owner Reflects on Rodgers’ Time in New York
Jets owner Woody Johnson expressed gratitude for Rodgers’ contributions, recalling the excitement surrounding his arrival in 2023. “From day one, he embodied what it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city,” Johnson said. “That is what I will remember most.”
Rodgers’ Rocky Journey with the Jets
Rodgers was acquired in a highly anticipated trade with the Green Bay Packers in 2023, but his time in New York was marked by setbacks. Just four plays into his debut season, he suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him for the rest of the year.
The 2024 season was also turbulent. In June, the Jets fined Rodgers for an “unexcused absence” after he skipped a mandatory practice for a planned trip to Egypt. Later, his relationship with then-head coach Robert Saleh became a topic of speculation when Rodgers was seen rejecting a hug from him on the sidelines during a game against the New England Patriots. The team dismissed Saleh after a 2-3 start, finishing the season 3-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
Declining Performance and Uncertain Future
At 41, Rodgers struggled to regain his former MVP form. Excluding his brief 2023 campaign, he recorded his lowest passer rating as a full-time starter in 2024, along with his worst completion percentage since 2019 and fewest yards per attempt since 2015. With the Jets moving on, Rodgers’ future in the NFL remains uncertain.
