Aaron Rodgers addresses retirement talk amid nightmare Jets season

Aaron Rodgers plans to return to the Jets next season despite fans calling for him to retire during their nightmare campaign.

The 40-year-old returned to the Jets after missing his first season with the team due to an Achilles strain in their 2023 opener against Buffalo.

Despite a 3-7 start due to playing below his level, the veteran quarterback insists he plans to be back next September.

“I think so, yes,” Rodgers said on Wednesday when asked about his return plans. The response shows that his feelings have not changed after he said last season that he hopes to play “two, three or four more years.”

“Not really, not because of the negative,” he added. “Not really, no.”

Rodgers is playing below his level, while fans are calling for the veteran quarterback to retire

“I’m definitely not playing as well as I would have liked,” he said. ‘The great thing about this game is that it is a team game.

“The frustrating thing is that when you’re a great competitor, you hold yourself to a standard that’s not unrealistic, and I didn’t reach that standard this year,” Rodgers added.

The former Packers franchise player is under contract through 2025. However, the Jets would have to exercise a $35 million option bonus to bring him back.

Additionally, Rodgers has a base salary of $2.5 million, making his cap hit a manageable $23.5 million.

Despite being defeated 6-31 by the Arizona Cardinals, Rodgers expressed optimism, saying, “The verdict is still out on this season.”

Rodgers has completed 219 of 351 attempts for 2,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also threw seven interceptions and was sacked 23 times.

The Jets face the Colts on November 17 to end the month and host the Seahawks on December 1.