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The New York Jets have officially ended their partnership with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Nearly two years after introducing him with great fanfare, the team announced his departure on Thursday through a statement expressing gratitude but providing little explanation for the decision.
Jets Move in a New Direction
Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey confirmed the decision in a joint statement, saying they met with Rodgers last week and informed him of the team’s plans.
“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures,” they said. “We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”
Rodgers, 41, did not provide a statement in the team’s announcement.
The team introduced Glenn and Mougey as its new leadership on Jan. 27, when the veteran quarterback flew to New Jersey for a face-to-face meeting with them. Glenn had remained noncommittal about Rodgers’ status during his introductory press conference, reinforcing speculation that a split was imminent.
Reports surfaced on Sunday that the Jets had already informed Rodgers of their decision, though the team declined to comment at the time.
Rodgers’ Disappointing Tenure in New York
Jets owner Woody Johnson acknowledged Rodgers’ contributions while reflecting on the high expectations that came with his arrival.
“His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement, and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career,” Johnson said. “From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”
Despite the initial excitement, Rodgers’ time with the Jets fell short of expectations. His first season ended after just four snaps when he tore his left Achilles in the 2023 opener. He returned for the 2024 season but struggled, leading the team to a disappointing 5-12 record. Over his two years in New York, he won just six of his 18 starts.
Head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, who played key roles in acquiring Rodgers, were fired during the season.
Jets’ Financial and Roster Implications
The Jets are expected to release Rodgers with a post-June 1 designation. By doing so, they can spread his remaining $49 million cap hit over two years—$14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026.
Until June 2, Rodgers’ current $23.5 million cap hit will remain on the books, before dropping to $14 million, creating $9.5 million in cap savings. He will be eligible to sign with another team on March 13 but can begin discussions immediately.
A trade is unlikely, as it would have forced the Jets to absorb the full $49 million cap hit this year.
Rodgers’ Future and Jets’ Next Steps
Rodgers has yet to decide if he will continue his career. He previously stated he needed time to determine whether he would return for a 21st NFL season.
His departure leaves the Jets in need of a new quarterback. The only signal-callers currently under contract are veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, 35, and 2024 fifth-round draft pick Jordan Travis, who missed last season recovering from a serious leg injury.
The team will pursue a veteran quarterback, with Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields among the potential targets.
A Legacy of Highs and Lows
Rodgers’ time in New York will be remembered as one of the most disappointing acquisitions in Jets history. The team entered 2023 with Super Bowl aspirations but never became a contender.
Though Rodgers finished 2024 with 3,897 passing yards and 28 touchdowns—both ranking third in Jets single-season history—his overall performance was inconsistent. He ranked 25th in Total QBR, 30th in completion percentage, and 28th in yards per attempt. The Jets also struggled in close games, finishing 3-7 in one-score contests, with Rodgers failing to deliver late-game heroics on multiple occasions.
Despite the struggles, Rodgers was a respected leader in the locker room. In 2023, he voluntarily took a $35 million pay cut to help the Jets manage their salary cap, and his teammates voted him the most inspirational player that season as he attempted to return from Achilles surgery.
However, he also made headlines for the wrong reasons, including a controversial decision to skip a mandatory minicamp in June 2024 for a vacation in Egypt. The unexcused absence resulted in a $100,000 fine from the team.
With his departure, the Jets close a turbulent chapter and turn their focus toward finding their next franchise quarterback.
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This report used information from ESPN.
