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Aaron Rodgers is currently mulling over his future in playing football. The talented quarterback is aware that if he decides to return to the field, the decision of whether he continues with the New York Jets may not be entirely up to him.
At 41 years old, Rodgers mentioned last week that he intends to take some time post this season, his 20th in the NFL, to determine his next steps. On Monday, he hinted that a verdict on his return with the Jets could be decided for him the day following the team’s regular-season finale.
“I believe there’s a scenario where they simply say, ‘Thank you, we’re going in a different direction’ on January 6,” Rodgers stated during his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“That’s a possibility,” he continued. “I also think there’s a chance we’ll wait to see who the new staff is.”
The Jets have initiated the search for a new general manager following Joe Douglas’ dismissal last month. Additionally, they will be seeking a new head coach after Robert Saleh was let go on October 8 and replaced by interim defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
The Jets are currently 4-11 this season and will not make the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year, marking the longest active drought in the NFL. Owner Woody Johnson and the franchise face a crucial decision on whether to retain Rodgers – who is under contract for the next season – or part ways with the quarterback and begin anew under the new leadership.
While Rodgers has expressed his preference to continue playing with the Jets if he chooses to do so, stating he would be open to taking a pay cut and mentoring a young quarterback if drafted by the team, it remains uncertain if Johnson shares the same sentiment in wanting Rodgers to return.
In a recent Athletic article, anonymous sources highlighted a level of dysfunction within the organization, implying that Johnson is influenced by his teenage sons Brick and Jack.
“Being released would be a first,” Rodgers joked. “Being released by a teenager would also be a first.”
Rodgers chuckled at the report, acknowledging, “Hey, I’m open to everything and I’ll find the humor in it all. If that happens, well, it’s quite a story.”
Rodgers was traded from Green Bay during the 2023 offseason, yet his debut with New York was short-lived as he suffered a left Achilles tendon tear after just four snaps. Although he returned for this season’s opener, he grappled with injuries to his knee, ankle, and hamstring, leading to inconsistencies in his performance.
In Sunday’s 19-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, Rodgers threw his 499th regular-season touchdown pass, putting him one touchdown away from joining the exclusive club of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre as the only players to reach 500. This season, he has recorded 24 TD passes and eight interceptions.
Despite Rodgers’ presence on the field, the Jets have struggled this season. During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, he suggested that leaks within the organization might be impacting the team’s performance.
“Once that is addressed, winning will become a bit easier,” Rodgers explained. “While it may not directly affect the players on the field, it does have an impact on the culture, chemistry, and overall energy of the organization. That’s where improvements need to be made.”
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