As Aaron Rodgers’ second season with the New York Jets winds down, questions about his future have grown louder. The four-time MVP, who recently expressed confidence about returning for a 21st NFL season, has now tempered those remarks. During his latest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers expressed uncertainty about playing in 2025 but noted that if he does suit up, his preference would be to stay with the Jets (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini).
Rodgers’ hesitancy comes at a precarious time for the Jets, who have recently fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. With the franchise appearing set to move on from its high-profile quarterback, conflicting priorities loom, setting the stage for a challenging offseason decision-making process. For now, Rodgers is slated to remain the starter for Week 13.
Rodgers Reflects on His Time with the Jets
“These have been two of the best years of my life,” Rodgers said on Tuesday (via Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz). “As much as it’s been frustrating and difficult, it’s been two really beautiful years. Playing in New York would obviously be my first choice, if I want to play.”
Set to turn 41 next week, Rodgers is nearing the end of his 16th season as a starter. Technically, it is his 17th year in a starting role, though his 2023 season was effectively ended after just four plays due to injury. This season has also seen Rodgers deal with multiple injuries, including issues with his hamstring, ankle, and knee. Recent rumors even suggested that Rodgers had skipped certain medical exams to avoid revealing the extent of his injuries—a claim interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich dismissed as “news to me.” Regardless of the exact status of his health, speculation persists that the Jets may place Rodgers on injured reserve or bench him outright as they close out a disappointing campaign.
Injuries and Uncertain Health
Despite the injuries, Rodgers said he “feels great right now” and clarified that no mandate had been issued for an MRI on his injured hamstring. Still, Rodgers’ ongoing physical issues have only fueled the notion that the Jets may be looking to part ways with their once-prized trade acquisition. The trade, which involved two second-round picks going to the Green Bay Packers, has not paid dividends for the Jets. The team ranks 27th in both scoring and total offense, with Rodgers struggling to recapture the MVP-caliber form that made him a legend in Green Bay. As New York inches toward missing the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season, it appears increasingly likely that Rodgers and the Jets are headed for a split.
A Complicated Relationship with Ownership
Further complicating the matter are the mixed rumors surrounding Rodgers’ relationship with team ownership. Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding Woody Johnson’s confidence in Rodgers, with one suggesting the owner had lost faith in the quarterback, while another painted the drama as overblown. Rodgers himself addressed the situation, noting that he had recently dined with Christopher Johnson—who may step in as acting owner if Woody Johnson returns to politics as an ambassador to the United Kingdom under President-Elect Donald Trump.
Rodgers said he had “a lot of love and appreciation and gratitude” for both Johnson brothers. He also confirmed that Woody Johnson had flown into a Jets practice just before firing GM Joe Douglas—a move Rodgers had hoped could be avoided.
Looking Ahead: Retirement or a New Team?
Rodgers famously contemplated retirement after the 2022 season, admitting that he was “90% retired” before emerging from a much-discussed darkness retreat with a renewed desire to continue playing. The Jets were the only team to show significant interest, acquiring the veteran signal-caller just ahead of the 2023 draft. Now, with his future plans uncertain once again, the question is whether another team would be willing to take on Rodgers if and when the Jets decide to move on.
For Rodgers, the allure of continuing his career in New York remains strong, but circumstances seem to be pushing both sides apart. His hesitance and the Jets’ uncertain direction suggest that 2025 might involve a different team—or perhaps a final decision to walk away from the game altogether. The upcoming offseason will be crucial in determining whether Aaron Rodgers gets a shot at redemption with the Jets, or if his storied career takes yet another unexpected turn.