The Fall and Rise of Aaron Rodgers
There was something perhaps unintentionally cruel in the Jets’ statement about Aaron Rodgers — “our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback” — since moving in a different direction was what cost Rodgers one of his two seasons in a Jets uniform. When Rodgers shredded his Achilles tendon just four plays into his Jets tenure at the start of the 2023 season, the Jets saw all their grand hopes for a renaissance roll off on a cart with him. New York’s chance to end the longest playoff drought in the NFL, halt prevailing narratives of incompetence, and halt the butt-fumbling that has hung over this franchise for years, all evaporated with Rodgers’ injury.
The Jets’ Immediate Dilemma
When everything is in ruins, where do you even start to rebuild? For the New York Jets, the answer is clear: they need a quarterback, and they need one immediately. Drafting seventh this year, the likelihood of one of the top available quarterbacks falling to them is low. The Jets have bolstered their defense with recent moves, but these changes do nothing to solve their quarterback problem. Credit to the Jets for realizing that sticking with Rodgers, who clearly wasn’t the answer, was not the way forward.
Rodgers’ Statistics and Performance
In 2024, Rodgers played all 17 games but posted some of his worst career numbers in virtually every major statistical category. He threw for 28 touchdowns and 3,897 yards, both in the league’s top 10, but in an ultimately desperate and futile effort. The Jets went 5-12 with Rodgers under center last year. At 41, with a recent history of significant injury, the future for Rodgers is uncertain. While Tom Brady has skewed perceptions of quarterback longevity, the reality is that most quarterbacks decline significantly in their late 30s. Rodgers has already beaten the odds by sticking around this long, but the question remains: what’s next?
Potential Starting Roles
Five teams are confirmed to be in the market for a quarterback: the Titans, Browns, Giants, Raiders, and Jets. All five have a pick in the top seven of April’s draft, where two quarterbacks—Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders—are expected to go high. Considering neither Ward nor Sanders are likely to fall to the Jets, that leaves just two open jobs for Rodgers, three if you count the Steelers, who currently have no quarterback under contract for 2025 after giving Russell Wilson and Justin Fields chances in 2024. The idea of Rodgers in orange, or silver and black, or even comparing football philosophies with Mike Tomlin, is intriguing.
Bridge and Backup Roles
One of these quarterback-needy teams might decide that their prized pick isn’t quite ready for the rigors of the NFL and bring in Rodgers as a short-term fix. This strategy worked for Patrick Mahomes, and the 49ers, who have publically supported a Brock Purdy extension, might consider it as well. Another possibility, and one that offers historical symmetry, is the Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers could follow the path of his Green Bay predecessor—win MVPs and a Lombardi with the Packers, take snaps with the Jets, and then jump to Minnesota. The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy waiting to step into the spotlight after an injury-riddled rookie season. With Sam Darnold likely moving on to a bigger contract, could Rodgers serve as a short-term solution, preparing McCarthy for the big time? However, would Rodgers, who has always commanded a starter’s role, accept such a position?
Retirement and Alternative Careers
If Aaron Rodgers decides to retire, he will have plenty of off-field opportunities at his disposal. He has flirted with retirement before and even conceded late last year that he might be at the end of the road. "It’s been a long career,” he said. “I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to be a part of, what I’ve been able to accomplish, and I’m also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest." Rodgers has discovered his inner podcaster in recent years, using platforms like Pat McAfee’s show to share his views on politics, vaccine policy, and the media. A podcast or similar broadcast career would give him the opportunity to expound on whatever topic interests him. It wouldn’t be boring, and Rodgers remains one of the most fascinating figures in the NFL, sometimes for his athletic excellence and sometimes for his can’t-look-away destructiveness. Whether he stays in the league or gets behind a mic, the experience will be a must-watch, one way or another.
