Aaron Rodgers’ disappointing two-year stint with the New York Jets is over. And the team’s only Super Bowl trophy still stands by itself.
The Jets announced Thursday they told the 41-year-old quarterback they are moving on without him next season.
While Rodgers hasn’t said whether he intends to continue playing for a 21st NFL season, the Jets — with new general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn in charge — officially ruled out a return to New York.
In a joint statement issued by the team, Mougey and Glenn said they met with Rodgers last week and informed him “that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback.”
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“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures,” Mougey and Glenn said in the statement. “We want to thank him for the leadership, passion and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”
The four-time MVP, who last month became the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 regular-season touchdown passes, has one year left on his contract at a non-guaranteed $37.5 million.
The Jets would absorb a $49 million dead-money charge next season unless they designate Rodgers a post-June 1 cut and can spread out that charge over two years. If they do that, Rodgers would remain on their roster — while carrying a $23.5 million salary-cap charge — until the new league year starts March 12.
In April 2023, Rodgers was traded to the Jets after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers — looking to help the franchise end a Super Bowl drought that dates to the glory days of Joe Namath in the 1968 season.
At his introductory news conference, Rodgers noted how the franchise’s only Vince Lombardi Trophy looked “lonely” in the team’s lobby.
The hope was Rodgers would change that.
The reality ended up being more of the same for the Jets.
Rodgers’ first season in New York ended just four snaps into his debut because of a torn left Achilles tendon that sank the Jets’ Super Bowl hopes that were stirred by the QB’s arrival.
He worked his way back to the field to start every game this past season, but he and the offense struggled with consistency and results and the Jets finished 5-12.
“I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets,” owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career.
“From Day 1, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”
Rodgers’ 28 touchdown passes and 3,897 passing yards in 2024 both rank third for a single season in franchise history. But he lacked mobility early in his return and then dealt with a few additional leg injuries, including a significant hamstring ailment.
The Jets offense with Rodgers struggled to produce, the defense was a shell of its formerly dominant self and it cost both general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh their jobs in the middle of the season.
In what turned out to be his final game as a Jet, Rodgers threw a season-high four touchdown passes in a win over the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5.
It was a vintage performance — and a somewhat frustrating flash to fans of how things could have gone for Rodgers and the Jets.
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His short tenure in New York also wasn’t without controversy.
Last offseason, Rodgers made headlines when he missed mandatory minicamp and instead went on a trip to Egypt he planned while recovering from his injury. He also was mentioned by Robert Kennedy Jr. as a possible vice presidential candidate during Kennedy’s run for the presidency.
Rodgers insisted he was focused on football and completing his comeback with a successful season — which included the Jets trading for close friend and former Packers teammate Davante Adams.
Now they will be looking for a new quarterback while Rodgers contemplates his next move. He said at the end of the season he wanted to take a mental break before making a decision on his playing future.
Fox Sports reported Sunday that Rodgers met with the Jets in New Jersey and was told of the team’s plans.
Tyrod Taylor, a 35-year-old veteran, remains on the roster, as does Jordan Travis, who spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list, and Adrian Martinez, who was on the practice squad and signed a reserve-future contract last month.
The Jets could explore the free-agent market next month to replace Rodgers. They also have the No. 7 draft pick in April.
Rodgers has 503 regular-season touchdown passes, joining Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508) as the only players to throw at least 500.
His 62,952 passing yards rank seventh in NFL history, and he led the Packers to their last Super Bowl title in the 2010 season. But he hasn’t played on football’s biggest stage since, despite reaching the NFC championship game four other times.
If he does choose to continue playing, Rodgers likely would prefer a team that’s close to contending for a title — giving him one last chance at another championship.