The New York Jets’ tumultuous season has taken another dramatic turn. NFL insiders report growing uncertainty about Aaron Rodgers’ future with the team amid organizational upheaval and disappointing performance.
Owner Woody Johnson has initiated a significant rebuild, starting with the firing of Head Coach Robert Saleh and General Manager Joe Douglas. The team’s struggles, reflected in their dismal 3-8 record, have sparked serious discussions about the four-time MVP’s role.
Sources close to the situation reveal a complex web of challenges. The quarterback, who turns 41 on December 2, is battling multiple injuries while reportedly avoiding medical scans. “Rodgers has been reluctant to disclose the extent of his injuries because he fears being sidelined,” reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The relationship between Johnson and Rodgers appears increasingly strained. Though the two shared a dinner in New York City earlier this month, high-level officials within the organization have expressed doubts about Rodgers’ ability to end the Jets’ 14-year playoff drought. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports that some team members believe everyone is “tiptoeing around the fact that Rodgers isn’t the same player anymore.”
The financial implications of any potential split are significant. Rodgers’ three-year, $112.5 million deal includes a massive $35 million roster bonus due before the 2025 regular season. If designated as a post-June one cut, the Jets would face dead cap hits of $14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026.
When asked about his future plans on November 13, Rodgers responded tepidly, “I think so, yeah,” when questioned about playing next season. However, one source told reporters it would be a “shock” if Rodgers returned to the Jets in 2025.
The quarterback’s injury struggles have been evident throughout the season. After returning from an early-season Achilles injury, Rodgers has battled through knee swelling, a “significant” hamstring injury, and ankle issues. Despite these setbacks, he has insisted on playing, often avoiding detailed medical examinations.
The departure of Rodgers’ biggest supporters within the organization – Saleh and Douglas – further complicates his future. Their exits removed two key advocates who had brought him to New York from Green Bay.
With six games remaining in the season, Rodgers faces his most crucial stretch in recent memory. Sources say he must show dramatic improvement for any chance of returning in 2025. The team’s upcoming bye week offers physical recovery opportunities, but the broader questions about his future with the Jets remain unresolved.
The situation highlights a stark reality for the team and its star quarterback: what began as a promising partnership has devolved into uncertainty, with both sides potentially heading toward an earlier-than-expected separation. Rodgers’ status will be a central topic in those discussions as the Jets prepare to hire new leadership.
For now, the future of one of the NFL’s most accomplished quarterbacks remains in limbo, as does the direction of a franchise desperate to return to relevance in the competitive AFC East.