Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jets ready to move on from Aaron Rodgers amidst team struggles, according to reports
Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Jets’ disastrous season hit a new low on Tuesday when New York officially parted ways with general manager Joe Douglas during his sixth season. This decision comes just seven weeks after head coach Robert Saleh was let go. With the Jets entering their bye week at a bleak 3-8 record, the organization seems to be in full reset mode.
The team’s struggles go beyond poor performance on the field. Hopes for a triumphant return by quarterback Aaron Rodgers have fallen short, and the turmoil within the franchise appears to be deeply rooted in dysfunction tied to owner Woody Johnson.
TRENDING‼️📈👀
Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return to the New York Jets next season after firing GM Joe Douglas, per @RichCimini 🤯😬
Adding to the chaos, multiple reports suggest that Rodgers’ time with the Jets could be over after just two seasons.
An insider told ESPN’s Rich Cimini it’s “highly unlikely” that Woody Johnson will bring Rodgers back for 2025.
“The Jets have dropped seven of their past eight games in what was supposed to be a win-now season under Rodgers, whose future is cloudy,” Cimini wrote following Douglas’ dismissal.
One source said he’d be “shocked” if Johnson brings Rodgers back in 2025
The source also highlighted that Rodgers’ $23.5 million cap charge for 2025 is not guaranteed, giving the team financial flexibility if they choose to part ways.
Meanwhile, a report from SNY painted an even bleaker picture, claiming that many Jets players had already “checked out” and were “just ready for it [the season] to be over.” The report also cast doubt on Rodgers’ return to MetLife next season.
“There are seven weeks left in this season. It will give the Jets a jumpstart on another rebuild. They’re looking for a new general manager. They will be looking for a new coach,” SNY’s Connor J. Hughes reported.
Sources tell ESPN’s @RichCimini that they’d be “shocked” if Woody Johnson brings Aaron Rodgers back in 2025 👀
“Sources told SNY that the team prefers to move on from Aaron Rodgers, too. Those are the easy decisions, though. How to fill those voids poses a much greater challenge.”
Rodgers joined the Jets with high expectations but suffered an Achilles tear during the season opener against Buffalo, sidelining him for what was supposed to be a game-changing year.
Despite their dismal record, the veteran has dismissed retirement talk, stating earlier this month, “I think so, yeah,” when asked about his plans to return. He even reiterated his intention to play “two or three or four more years.”
Even if Rodgers returns, it may not be with the Jets
The Jets’ decision to trade for Rodgers ahead of the 2023 season wasn’t necessarily the mistake—it was the amount of influence they gave him within the organization. While his performance post-Achilles injury has been subpar, his Hall of Fame status made him a reasonable gamble for a team desperate for a quarterback.
However, the Jets likely wouldn’t have hired Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, signed players like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, or traded for Davante Adams this year if it weren’t for Rodgers pulling the strings. The quarterback’s dominance within the franchise has been problematic from the start.
For instance, when Rodgers skipped mandatory minicamp last offseason, the Jets brushed it off. That lack of accountability set a poor tone for a team aiming for a championship run.
Aaron Rodgers remains under contract through 2025, but the Jets must cut ties. His tenure has not only failed to deliver results but has arguably hurt team morale.
the reason some teams can’t ever find stability or sustainable success is because their owners are idiots
Woody Johnson trying to bench Aaron Rodgers 4 weeks into the season with the Jets 2-2 so he could start Tyrod qualifies
Former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason recently said on WFAN’s Boomer and Gio,“It’s like Aaron Rodgers has completely sucked the air out of the building. … Since he has come here, every player on this team has deferred everything to him.”
Keeping Rodgers at the center of the team’s plans could also make it nearly impossible to attract quality coaching or GM candidates. As Hughes noted, “This organization does prefer a change at quarterback, and this hammers that home.”
The silver lining is that New York has an out. While cutting Rodgers after the season would leave $49 million in dead money, the Jets can save $9.5 million in 2025 cap space by designating his release post-June 1. For a team in desperate need of a fresh start, this might be their best path forward.
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