The phrase “Never overpromise and underdeliver” is one of life’s greatest lessons. Unfortunately, no one told Aaron Rodgers that. When the New York Jets decided they were a quarterback away from contention, the contingent of general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh wanted the soon-to-be Hall of Fame quarterback. Two years later, neither Douglas nor Saleh are employed by the organization. Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles four snaps into his first game. The most disappointing of all is the 5-12 record in Rodgers first full season as the starter. With the new leadership of head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, the Jets decided this would be the last we see of Aaron Rodgers in Metlife.
Breaking: Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return to the Jets in 2025, sources told @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/mWRTsx0FqP
— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2025
The Jets Are Done With Aaron Rodgers
Fans will point to his 28 passing touchdowns and 3,897 passing yards within the top ten of those categories. However, fans must realize those numbers are inflated because Rodgers threw the second most passes in the league last year. 30th in completion percentage. 25th in the league in quarterback rating. Back-to-back double-digit interception seasons. He’s lost the ability to extend plays in the pocket. None of these will keep Aaron Rodgers out of Canton, but the fact remains he was an inefficient quarterback in 2024. Once tensions reportedly formed between the four-time MVP and star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, new head coach Aaron Glenn is wisely choosing the 25-year-old playmaker.
The move will also help New York’s salary cap this offseason, freeing up an additional $9 million as a post-June 1st cut. However, the big reward is the $49 million that’s available in 2026. It is expected that Rodgers would like to continue playing next season. Some potential options could include the Steelers, the Titans, and the Saints.
What will New York do at quarterback?
While the New York Jets decide to part ways with Aaron Rodgers, fans wonder what will happen at quarterback. As of now, incumbent backup Tyrod Taylor and rookie Jordan Travis are the only two quarterbacks currently signed. Upon further examination, the quarterback options will be limited for New York across the offseason.
A scenario to potentially explore is waiting for a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Derek Carr to be cut from the Falcons and Saints. While both men underperformed on their new teams, they could bring stable veterans into the room to bridge the gap. In addition, a free agent like Justin Fields could be signed and already has a connection with Garrett Wilson from their Ohio State Days. Potentially, while a Sam Darnold reunion would be nice, it’s unrealistic to think Darnold will want to return.
Ultimately, I believe that the duo of Mougey and Glenn plan to wait til 2026 for the team’s long-term quarterback. The 2025 quarterback class isn’t as impactful compared to last year’s class. Outside of Cam Ward and Sheduer Sanders, there will be multiple options that need extended development. If New York finds a veteran with starting experience to play a majority of this season, they can experiment with a quarterback early on day three.
One option could be Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. While the upside is limited, Howard led Ohio State to a National Championship this season. He shined in the College Football Playoff against three top 20 scoring defenses. In addition, Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord would also be a fun option. McCord shined in his first season in the ACC, leading Syracuse to a ten-win season. Additionally, McCord was also a former college teammate with Garrett Wilson at Ohio State.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – USA Today Sports
