Optimism was within the air on April 26, 2023, after Aaron Rodgers was acquired in a commerce with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
“I noticed walking in this morning that Super Bowl III trophy is looking a little lonely,” Rodgers stated throughout his introductory press convention.
Virtually two years later, Rodgers’ jerseys at Dick’s Sporting Items are marked 50% off in anticipation of his departure following Sunday’s meaningless sport towards the Dolphins (8-8). What occurred through the time in between was a precipitous fall for Rodgers. After arguably being the perfect quarterback within the NFL, Rodgers is now considering retirement after a difficult two-year tenure with the Jets.
Rodgers is, nevertheless, grateful for his time with the Jets (4-12), no matter what his future holds.
“It is a tough business, it is a great profession, Rodgers said. “We have gone through a lot this year, we have gone through coaching changes and operational changes and schedule changes and players in and out, it has been a trying time.
“I think we have dealt with a lot of adversity, this will be a year for a lot of these young guys to look back on if they handle it the right way in the offseason that there is just so much growth that can come from the adversity, the years flying high, winning can kind of gloss over a lot of things. There hasn’t been any glossing over anything here the last couple years, so good time for all of us to reflect on the season, to enjoy each other for the last five days.”
After successful 4 NFL MVP awards and a Tremendous Bowl MVP with the Packers, Rodgers, 41, will go down as top-of-the-line quarterbacks in league historical past. Nonetheless, his time with the Jets will likely be a blemish on a stellar profession.
Rodgers’ extremely anticipated debut with the Jets on Sept. 11, 2023, ended as shortly because it began. He tore his Achilles 4 performs into the opener and missed the remainder of that season. In Rodgers’ absence, the Jets completed 7-10.
Hopefulness continued amongst Jets followers and pundits getting into the 2024 season after Rodgers healed his Achilles. Many predicted that the Jets wouldn’t solely finish their 13-year playoff drought but in addition win the AFC East and problem for a visit to the Tremendous Bowl.
However Rodgers’ second season with the Jets has been extra disappointing than the primary. The Jets started the season 2-1 however have misplaced 11 of their final 13 video games getting into the season finale towards the Dolphins.
Jets proprietor Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 begin. Johnson additionally fired normal supervisor Joe Douglas final November after greater than 5 seasons on the job.
When Johnson fired Saleh, he known as the Jets “one of the most talented teams” in Jets historical past. However regardless of all of the adjustments and buying and selling for Rodgers’ shut buddy and ex-Packers teammate Davante Adams, the Jets will prolong North America’s longest energetic playoff drought to 14 seasons.
Below interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets have a 2-9 file. Throughout that point, Rodgers has additionally battled hamstring, knee, and ankle accidents at varied factors.
As well as, Rodgers appears like a shell of the participant who gained 4 NFL MVP awards with the Packers. In 16 video games, Rodgers has thrown for 3,623 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He ranks twenty fifth out of 33 certified passers in Whole QBR.
Rodgers advised reporters that regardless of a troublesome season, he fell in love with soccer once more after 18 seasons with the Packers. He additionally treasures the relationships he has made inside the Jets group.
“A guy like that, as a kid, you always dreamt of playing with somebody like that,” Jets left guard John Simpson stated about taking part in with Rodgers. “For it to actually happen, it’s like a f—–g dream.
“It’s hard to put in words, but having a quarterback like that’s done everything that he has done and having somebody like that behind you makes me want to go a little harder and play well for him.”
With a brand new normal supervisor and coach coming to the Jets in 2025, Rodgers’ future with the staff stays cloudy. The Jets will seemingly have a brand new quarterback subsequent season, however Rodgers stated he wants a psychological break earlier than deciding whether or not to proceed taking part in.
Rodgers is below contract for 2025, however none of his wage is assured. If the Jets had been to deliver him again, they would want to train a $35 million choice bonus earlier than the beginning of subsequent season and Rodgers would depend $23.5 million towards the wage cap.
If Rodgers retires or the Jets launch him, the staff would take a $49 million useless cap hit.
“I think there’s going to be change here, and if I’m a part of the change,” Rodgers stated.
“It’s been a great experience all around, and again, I’m disappointed about the performance of both myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity. If I feel good coming back, and they want to make another run at this, that’d be fantastic, but I’m not naive to the situation we’re in.”
In what may very well be his ultimate NFL sport, Rodgers might be part of an illustrious membership. He wants only one landing to register the five hundredth landing cross of his profession.
“To even be a small part of his story is, it’s an honor, and if it happens to be his last game, let’s take him out on the right note,” Ulbrich stated.
The Rodgers period with the Jets will in the end finish as one of the disappointing in franchise historical past. It included lackluster performances, a number of failed fourth-quarter comebacks, and the firings of Douglas and Saleh.
But it surely’s arduous to fault the Jets for pushing all of the chips in the course of the desk to win a championship. However after hitting all-time low, the Jets have nowhere to go however up after what has been a nightmare season for the ages.
