New York Jets Announce Departure of Aaron Rodgers
New York City, NY
The New York Jets have officially parted ways with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. The team released a statement on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023, confirming the decision.
"Last week, we met with Aaron and informed him of our intention to move forward in a different direction at quarterback," said Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey in a statement. "It was crucial to have this conversation now to provide clarity and allow both of us ample time to plan for the future."
Rodgers joined the Jets in a high-profile trade with the Green Bay Packers in 2023. The move was met with excitement by fans, who hoped the decorated quarterback would lead the Jets to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969. However, Rodgers’ tenure with the team was marred by injury and disappointment.
In 2023, Rodgers tore his Achilles just four snaps into the first game of the season. He returned from the season-ending injury in 2024, but the Jets struggled, finishing with a 5-12 record. Both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas were fired during the season.
Despite the setbacks, Rodgers had a solid statistical season in 2024, throwing for 3,987 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 games. However, the Jets’ overall performance and lack of playoff success ultimately led to the decision to move on from the veteran quarterback.
"I personally want to thank Aaron for his time with the New York Jets," said owner Woody Johnson in a statement. "His arrival in 2023 gave us hope, and I’m grateful that he chose to continue his Hall of Fame career with us. He represented the Jets with honor and dedication, and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward."
Along with Rodgers, the Jets also brought in his former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, and signed his former Packers teammates Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. However, the offensive experiment failed to yield the desired results, with Hackett being relieved of play-calling duties, Cobb retiring, and Lazard struggling to make an impact.
The Jets also acquired wide receiver Davante Adams, another former teammate of Rodgers, but the move did not provide the expected spark.
Rodgers’ departure will leave a significant hole in the Jets’ offense. The team currently has 14-year veteran Tyrod Taylor under contract for next season, but it remains unclear whether he will be the starting quarterback in the post-Rodgers era.
The Jets’ decision to release Rodgers has financial implications as well. If the team designates him as a post-June 1 release, they will spread his $49 million dead cap hit over two seasons. If they designate him as a post-June 1 release, they will save $9.5 million this season. If they outright release him before June 1 and take on his whole cap hit in 2025, they would lose $25.5 million in cap space.
As for Rodgers, he has yet to announce whether he intends to continue playing or retire. However, he has expressed optimism about his health in recent interviews, indicating that he may not be ready to hang up his cleats just yet.
The New York Jets are now faced with the task of finding a new quarterback to lead their franchise into the future. With Rodgers no longer in the picture, the Jets will need to explore their options in free agency, the NFL Draft, or via trade. The team’s success in the post-Rodgers era will hinge on their ability to identify and acquire a quarterback who can elevate their offense and bring them closer to their Super Bowl aspirations.
