NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers 'a Long Shot to Return to the Jets' for 2025 Season
December 1, 2024
The signs continue to point to Aaron Rodgers' exit from the New York Jets this offseason.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday the star quarterback "is considered right now to be a long shot to return to the Jets."
Ian Rapoport @RapSheetFrom <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLGameDay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLGameDay</a>: The future of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jets</a> QB Aaron Rodgers hangs over everything now for his team. <a href="https://t.co/nEQOKAHJDV">pic.twitter.com/nEQOKAHJDV</a>
Rapoport and The Athletic's Dianna Russini previously filed reports calling Rodgers' future into question. Russini went so far as to write that "my understanding is that Rodgers still wants to play in 2025, just not for the New York Jets."
For his part, Rodgers said this week on The Pat McAfee Show he hasn't resolved to play for a different team in 2025. He called the rumor "100 percent false."
ESPN's Rich Cimini broke down the financial particulars if the Jets cut ties with the four-time MVP. Releasing him before June 1 would result in a $49 million dead money hit. Making him a post-June 1 cut would spread that charge across 2025 ($14 million) and 2026 ($35 million).
There's a sizable cost to keeping Rodgers, though, since he'll collect a $35 million option bonus ahead of the regular season.
Carrying on with this partnership presents some risks as well. The only difference between the 2023 Jets and the 2024 Jets is that they've managed to lose more games despite Rodgers being healthy. They've suffered from underwhelming quarterback play, and they've yet again been surrounded by off-field drama. For the second successive year, Rodgers bemoaned the leaks coming out of the organization.
By firing head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, team owner Woody Johnson has the opportunity to start over from top to bottom in 2025. Pivoting toward a rebuild is arguably better than trying to chase a Super Bowl again with this roster.
The next few weeks should provide some more clarity on how the Jets approach the offseason. If they remain anchored near the bottom of the AFC, then wholesale change is a necessity.
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