The New York Jets made it official, announcing that they’re breaking up with Aaron Rodgers after two disappointing seasons amid yet another organizational reset.
Rodgers recently met with new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey to discuss the Jets’ plans, and a statement released by the team Thursday pronounced New York was going in a different direction at quarterback.
It’s unclear what that other direction is. Tyrod Taylor has a year remaining on his contract. Jordan Travis, a 2024 fifth-round pick, has yet to practice with the Jets while recovering from an ankle injury. The 2025 free-agent quarterback market isn’t robust and neither is the looming quarterback draft class.
The top quarterbacks set to hit free agency include Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Zach Wilson, Andy Dalton, Drew Lock, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco and Trey Lance. The Jets’ struggles with Darnold and Zach Wilson at QB led them to Rodgers in the first place.
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So what’s next for Rodgers?
The 41-year-old rebounded from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Week 1 of 2023 to complete 63 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. Rodgers’ passer rating of 90.5 was the lowest of his 14 full seasons as a starter and he went 5-12, the worst record of his career.
Rodgers’ plans for the future remain unknown. The fact that he traveled to Jets headquarters to meet with Glenn and Mougey seems to suggest he is considering playing a 21st NFL season. What teams are in the market for a four-time league MVP with a Super Bowl ring and a 42nd birthday coming up in December? And which of those teams would appeal to Rogers?
A quick poll of a half-dozen NFL talent evaluators yielded meager returns. They see few great fits for Rodgers at this point in his career. There are no situations similar to, say, Peyton Manning joining the Denver Broncos for one last shot at Super Bowl glory.
The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants all have quarterback needs. But few of them — if any — are an aging star quarterback away from contending.
Rodgers’ criteria for a potential next destination is unknown. But here’s a stab at the best potential fits for the future Hall of Famer.
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Las Vegas Raiders
The revamping Raiders seemingly would love to make a splash as they kick off the Pete Carroll era. Right now, the Raiders have a gaping hole at quarterback. They do have a beast of a tight end in Brock Bowers, a 1,000-yard receiver in Jakobi Meyers, a young and talented offensive line and a dominant pass rusher in Maxx Crosby.
Perhaps Rodgers could come in and give the team a spark. Getting past the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos in the AFC West still could prove challenging. Yet this might be a win-win situation for a team that needs a bridge quarterback and a fading star who isn’t ready to hang ’em up yet.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee has the first pick in a draft that does not boast a clear franchise-saving quarterback prospect. Would a dance with Rodgers make sense? The Titans have some pieces on offense: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley delivered a 1,000-yard season despite catching passes from Will Levis (only 2,091 passing yards), and running back Tony Pollard rushed for 1,000 yards. They also have a stout defense, and the AFC South is seemingly always up for grabs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
For the record, this doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. But because Las Vegas has Mike Tomlin’s team as the early leaders in odds to land Rodgers, we’ll include Pittsburgh for a matter of debate. Yes, the Steelers are a playoff team, and yes, they have a good defense, a talented wide receiver in George Pickens and a strong running back in pending free agent Najee Harris.
But this doesn’t feel like a fit. Stylistically, the Steelers and Rodgers clash. Rodgers still wants to sling the ball around and command the spotlight. Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith like to lean on their defense, run the ball and take shots through the air here and there. Tomlin is also the undisputed alpha of the franchise, and Rodgers always challenges authority. Don’t see it.
San Francisco 49ers
It makes some sense. Rodgers comes in and runs an offense he has great familiarity with from his time in Green Bay with Matt LaFleur. Deebo Samuel would possibly no longer want out. Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle … the weapons abound. This also gets the 49ers out of having to overpay Brock Purdy to be average in 2025. Rodgers holds it down, and they draft a long-term option in 2026.
It all makes so much sense … until you remember that former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan, although perfectly capable of tweaking the offense to mask Rodgers’ deficiencies, also might wind up clashing with the headstrong quarterback. It was a thought for a second.
The TV booth
The options are indeed limited. The Browns aren’t likely to add to their disaster of a quarterback situation. The Giants are so far away from contending. There really aren’t many teams that make sense. And that’s why Rodgers’ best move might be retirement. He came back from the Achilles tear. He played all 17 games and became the fifth quarterback to throw 500 touchdown passes in his career.
While he didn’t have the storybook ending he wanted, he accomplished something. He can remain close to the game and still make great money with a TV deal. Tom Brady’s making $37.5 million a year on average from Fox. Rodgers, whose appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” inspired considerable attention, should be able to command a pretty penny as well.
(Photo: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
