Aaron Rodgers’ brief and unsuccessful career with the New York Jets appears to be over, with multiple reports that the team and quarterback are parting ways.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer initially reported on Sunday that the Jets told Rodgers last week that they intended to move on from him. ESPN and the NFL Network later said their sources confirmed the news.
There had been speculation for some time that Rodgers would leave the Jets, with the quarterback and team both refusing to confirm the relationship would continue. Rodgers joined the Jets in the run-up to the 2023 season but his first campaign ended on the first drive of the first game of the season when he tore his achilles tendon. The 41-year-old returned for 2024 but the Jets slumped to a 5-12 record, fired their head coach, were dogged by reports that the owner’s teenage son had a say in team decisions and missed the playoffs for a 14th successive season. His QBR of 48.1 ranked him 25th among qualified NFL quarterbacks.
His struggles with the Jets have been in marked contrast to his career with the Green Bay Packers, where he won a Super Bowl and built a reputation as one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history.
Rodgers is due to make $37.5m in the 2025 season. The Jets would be hit with a $49m dead cap charge if they cut him, which could be reduced by $9.5m and spread over two seasons if they release him after 1 June.
Suitors for Rodgers, if he chooses to continue playing, may be limited as he is no longer considered to be in the top tier of quarterbacks. The Jets would be left with the 35-year-old Tyrod Taylor as the only quarterback with significant experience as an NFL starter. They have the No 7 pick in this year’s draft, which is not seen as having a particularly strong quarterback class.
