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Just two weeks ago, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers faced questions about his future as rumors of a possible benching swirled. A public vote of confidence from interim coach Jeff Ulbrich quieted the chatter, and since then, Rodgers has delivered his best performances of the season, reigniting conversations about his potential return in 2025.
A Turnaround for the Ages
Rodgers followed a rough midseason stretch with back-to-back standout games against the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing for 628 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. His Total QBR of 76.8 over that span ranks sixth in the league. Against the Jaguars, he even rushed for 45 yards—the most by a player over 40 since Doug Flutie in 2003.
“I take a lot of pride in my minimal athleticism,” Rodgers joked, crediting the nine months of offseason preparation that kept him in shape.
After battling injuries earlier in the season—including a sprained knee, sprained ankle, and hamstring strain—Rodgers has stayed off the injury report for three straight weeks, showcasing improved mobility and confidence.
The Jets’ Decision Ahead
Rodgers’ resurgence complicates the Jets’ upcoming offseason. The team fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas earlier this season, and the new leadership will have to decide whether to stick with the 41-year-old veteran.
Factors like Rodgers’ age, salary cap implications, and the team’s roster composition will weigh heavily. While interim coach Ulbrich believes Rodgers has at least two more productive seasons left, his opinion may not matter if the team decides not to keep him.
“He struggled with injury for a good part of the season, and, as he’s starting to get healthier, you’re starting to see Aaron Rodgers — the real Aaron Rodgers,” Ulbrich said.
Flashes of Greatness or False Hope?
Rodgers’ late-season surge raises questions about whether this is the start of a sustained rebound or just a brief uptick with no playoff pressure. Against the Jaguars, conditions were ideal: a warm 73-degree evening and an opponent ranked last in yards allowed. Rodgers credited his offensive line for keeping him upright, as he faced little pressure and had his longest average time to throw (3.18 seconds) this season.
Still, Rodgers has been inconsistent this year. During Weeks 5-7, he threw six interceptions, and from Weeks 10-13, he failed to surpass 200 passing yards in a game. Overall, his completion percentage over expected is a career-low -4.8%, ranking him 32nd among 34 qualified quarterbacks.
Despite the improvement, his performance under pressure remains a concern. In the last two games, his completion rate under duress was only 37%, below the league average.
What Lies Ahead?
Rodgers will face tougher tests in the coming weeks with games against the Rams, Bills, and Dolphins—teams with strong defenses and cold-weather conditions. The Jets (4-10) are out of playoff contention, but these matchups will offer a glimpse into Rodgers’ ability to lead in challenging environments.
While Rodgers publicly dismissed the idea of auditioning for next season as “ridiculous,” his future with the Jets remains uncertain. The team could part ways with him, potentially exploring trade options, though Rodgers has a no-trade clause.
“Unfortunately, I went through a difficult stretch in the middle,” Rodgers said during his weekly spot on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. “That being said, if I’m out there, I expect to play well, so there’s no excuses. … But I was battling.”
For now, Rodgers’ recent performances have provided a reminder of his legendary talent. Whether that’s enough to secure his place with the Jets—or elsewhere—remains to be seen.
“If he maintains good health,” Ulbrich said, “he’s a guy that I would love to see play longer just because he is such a special player.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
