A general rule of thumb when growing up is never to overpromise and underdeliver. It shows you’re unprepared for a situation and lack the general knowledge to accomplish these tasks. Ultimately not only disappointing for those you’re helping but also disrespects your abilities as well. That phrase perfectly encompasses Aaron Rodgers’ career these past few years. His induction to Canton is a lock, but the quarterback’s reputation these past few years has been as ugly as his play this season. The soon-to-be 41-year-old New York Jets’ quarterback is attempting to fight reality; the game has passed him by. Aaron Rodgers has shown weekly this year he’s a shell of his former self, and his teammates are paying for it.
The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be the final key to unlock New York’s offense. Instead; Rodgers tore his Achilles, threw three interceptions in the last game before Saleh’s firing, Joe Douglas is out as general manager, and has meandered to a 3-8 record at the bye week. Simply put; he’s been a colossal disappointment. For the team’s sake, they can’t afford another year of this. It will cost the Jets a lot of dead cap. But for a fresh start; it’s a small price to pay to protect their future.
KC acquires Joe Montana, they go to the AFC Championship.
Denver acquires Peyton Manning, they go to 2 Superbowls & win one.
Tampa acquires Tom Brady, they win a Superbowl.#Jets acquire Aaron Rodgers, they become worse than when they had Zach Wilson.
You can't make it up.
— Play Like A Jet (@Playlikeajet1) November 17, 2024
Moving Out: The Jets Should Part Ways With Aaron Rodgers
The New York Jets were supposed to go “all in” on a Super Bowl run. Led by Robert Saleh’s defense, Aaron Rodgers was acquired to provide stability for the offense. However, leaving an old quarterback with an ego the size of the Chrysler building in charge of your offense is not a winning formula. Especially in an offense coordinated by ex-Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett. While his numbers aren’t terrible, Aaron has let down the Jets on multiple game-ending drives this year.
He couldn’t get into a closer field goal in the Broncos loss with the ball at the NY 40-yard line. Back-to-back game-ending interceptions vs the Vikings and Bills. A game-changing delay of game penalty during the two-point conversion vs New England. Took a sack with no timeouts on the final drive vs. the Colts this past Sunday. Since the Saleh firing, the team has now gone 1-5 under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
You can talk about his MVPs. His unique ability to throw on the run. Even his Super Bowl run that came before the PS4 was invented. The fact remains that Aaron Rodgers is at the end of his career. He’s already hinted at retirement multiple times these past few years. Perhaps it’s time to make those plans a reality.
Aaron Rodgers has now ended games by both interception and taking a sack. I hope he publicly dissects who made a mistake on this play. pic.twitter.com/dtYXstjv2N
— Damon Amendolara (@DamonAmendo) November 17, 2024
The cost of freedom: Jets will have to pay to move on
This is the hardest part about a potential Aaron Rodgers retirement. There is no scenario in which the Jets move on from Aaron Rodgers without it affecting their cap space. In the event Rodgers does retire, New York will be on the hook for nearly $60 million in dead cap for 2025. That’s a significant portion of the money the Jets could have used to help their roster. But, to get a clean break will be worth it for the next regime to rebuild. There are ways to minimize the cap hit.
Should Rodgers be designated as a post-June-1st cut, then New York can absorb the dead cap over the next two seasons. This would result in just over $20 million in dead cap space for 2025 & nearly $41 million in 2026. This is going to be a problem for Joe Douglas’ replacement to manage. However, the NFL cap space is expected to spike again over the next two seasons. So while it’s detrimental in the short term, New York can still improve over these next two seasons if the available cap space increases. Thus allowing them to give extensions to Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Sauce Gardner, and more.
Aaron Rodgers failed the Jets
The Aaron Rodgers trade was made in good faith, but he’s proven to be nothing more than a distraction. The energy on the sidelines has concaved from Aaron’s presence. His constant appearances on the Pat McAfee show have further emphasized the team’s dysfunction. This wasn’t the same Jets team that beat Aaron in Green Bay back in October of 2022. He’s sucked the life out of Robert Saleh’s sideline and let an entire franchise down due to arrogance and a devastating injury. We will all look back fondly on his highlights in Green Bay. The dazzling touchdowns. Jaw-dropping throws. But, that was the past. Today, Aaron Rodgers is what he hated long ago. A bitter old man who has seen the game pass him by.
Main Photo: [Brad Penner] – USA Today Sports
