Nov 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

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Aaron Rodgers holds on to mid-season ‘Hope,’ tells Jets fans ‘We’re not mathematically eliminated’

Aaron Rodgers remains hopeful for the Jets' future

Two days after the Jets fell to a 3-7 record with a 31-6 loss against Arizona on Sunday, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared hopeful during his weekly chat on The Pat McAfee Show.

“You have to hold on to that beautiful thing in life called hope,” Rodgers said. “We aren’t mathematically eliminated. There is a lot to play for. At the end of the day, the one thing that we can play for, whether we are 10-0 or 3-7, is pride. Pride in your performance and pride in the product you are putting on the field.”

The Jets started the season strong at 2-1, but since then, they’ve dropped six out of their last seven games. By Tuesday, after the Dolphins secured a 23-15 victory over the Rams, the Jets found themselves 11th in the AFC, trailing the Denver Broncos by two games for the 7th playoff spot.

"We've been inconsistent all season and it's on us to fix it..

We've gotta make some tweaks and that can turn this whole thing around..

There's still a lot of things in front of us but it starts with finding a way to get a win against the Colts" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/9Q0wv5TpWV pic.twitter.com/JGuzE97ET4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 12, 2024

Denver also holds the head-to-head tiebreaker against New York, making the path forward even tougher. Rodgers and the Jets may have moved past the point where optimism is enough to turn things around.

For New York, a meaningful comeback seems increasingly unlikely.

Aaron Rodgers says Jets’ struggles won’t affect plans to play in 2025

Firing head coach Robert Saleh hasn’t exactly been the spark to shift the team’s trajectory; if anything, the defense has noticeably weakened. Still, Rodgers has more to say.

When asked on Wednesday if he still envisions himself playing for the Jets next season, Rodgers responded with cautious optimism.

“I think so, yeah,” he told reporters at the team’s New Jersey facility.

Given the Jets’ disappointing season — and Rodgers’ own below-average performance — it wouldn’t be surprising if the four-time MVP was rethinking his long-term commitment.

Aaron Rodgers says that this season has not changed his opinion on playing in 2025 and that he still thinks he wants to play next year: pic.twitter.com/1OldVNuvW9
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 13, 2024

In March, he mentioned hopes to “play two or three or four more years,” but the brutal stretch of six losses in seven games, coupled with his recovery from last season’s Achilles injury, might be testing his resolve as he approaches his 41st birthday.

In September, Rodgers recalled a remark from former coach Mike McCarthy about the Jets’ biggest challenge: “handling success.” Ironically, that challenge has faded since the team hasn’t had much success to handle recently.

Even in their better years, the Jets and their fans have carried a sense of inevitable disappointment. With the season going this poorly, patience for Rodgers and the team seems in short supply.

Image: © Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers

Natasha Bose

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