The long run stays up within the air for Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets quarterback acknowledged as a lot Monday when he expressed a willingness to take a pay reduce and to mentor a younger quarterback subsequent season however burdened there are nonetheless selections to be made earlier than then.
“I haven’t decided whether or not I want to play moving forward,” Rodgers mentioned on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“They haven’t decided — or maybe they have, but haven’t told me — what their plans are moving forward. I’m guessing they’re gonna want to get a GM in here in the next few weeks and then obviously let the GM be a part of making the coaching selection.”
The Jets are interviewing candidates to interchange normal supervisor Joe Douglas, whom they fired after Week 11. In addition they want to interchange head coach Robert Saleh, whom they fired six weeks earlier than Douglas.
These casualties got here amid a disappointing season for the once-Tremendous-Bowl-hopeful Jets, who fell to 4-11 with Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium.
“I think there’s a world where they just say, ‘Hey, thank you. We’re gonna go in an opposite direction on Jan. 6,’” Rodgers mentioned. “I think there’s also a possibility we’re gonna wait and see who the new staff is.”
The Jets acquired Rodgers in April 2023, hoping the four-time NFL MVP would elevate a roster with offensive playmakers and a stout protection to Tremendous Bowl competition.
Shortly after the commerce, Rodgers agreed to take a $33.7 million pay reduce over two seasons, permitting the Jets to additional subsidize the roster.
Rodgers carries a $23.5 million cap hit for 2025, however the Jets can be on the hook for a $49 million lifeless cap hit ought to the quarterback be launched or retire.
“I think I’ve already proven I’m willing to take a pay cut,” Rodgers mentioned Monday. “I’ve made a ton of money, and I think if you look at both [wide receiver] Davante [Adams] and I’s contracts moving forward for next year, there’s cap numbers that would need to be worked around if they wanted to bring us both back.”
Rodgers, 41, has thrown for 3,511 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, his first since struggling an Achilles tear 4 snaps into 2023. However the Jets entered Monday ranked within the backside third amongst NFL groups in factors (19.5) and yards (307.9) per sport.
The Jets are projected to have the No. 8 choose within the NFL Draft, in keeping with Tankathon, and will take into account taking their subsequent franchise quarterback.
Rodgers spent his first three NFL seasons behind quarterback Brett Favre with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, whereas Jordan Love spent his first three seasons backing up Rodgers in Inexperienced Bay.
“I know what it was like to be a first-round pick and to be in a room with a Hall of Famer,” Rodgers mentioned of his willingness to mentor a younger QB. “I tried to help Jordan as much as possible. If there were a situation where the new staff came in and wanted me to be there, [and] also wanted to make a pick for the future … then yeah, of course.”
Final week, The Athletic reported that Jets proprietor Woody Johnson’s teenage sons, Brick and Jack, have affect throughout the group.
McAfee joked about that report Monday, asking if Brick can be the one to tell Rodgers of his launch.
“I’ve never been released before, so being released would be a first,” Rodgers replied with a smile. “Being released by a teenager, that would also be a first. I’m open to everything, and I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, hey, it’s a great story.”
