Aaron Rodgers’ final farewell? QB makes history in Jets’ bittersweet win over Dolphins as retirement rumors swirl

Aaron Rodgers spoiled his offensive lineman over the holidays. The quarterback filled their Christmas stockings, it is said, with a suit, a bottle of bourbon, a bottle of cologne, sunglasses, a speaker and a designer passport holder.

No one is more generous than “Santa Rodgers,” said a Jets teammate. And on this cold Sunday at MetLife Stadium, he reached back into his pocket and unwrapped another treat. A farewell gift?

This is expected to be Rodgers’ last game for New York. It could be the 41-year-old’s last ever appearance in the NFL.

If this is it? There are worse ways to end another sad season. Rodgers made more history, leading New York to a 32-20 win over the Miami Dolphins.

But it’s not quite what he promised. In April 2023, the quarterback promised to lead the Jets to a second Super Bowl. Ultimately? He came closer to the presidential ticket than the Vince Lombardi trophy.

On Sunday, Rodgers showed his continued quality, throwing for four scores – the most he has in a Jets game. He also reached another milestone in a stellar career, becoming the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach 500 touchdown passes.

Rodgers threw for four scores – the most he has had in a game as a Jets player

Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre are the only others to break that barrier. And yet, it felt rather fitting that Rodgers joined the 500 club in this way. In a pointless game. While hardly anyone witnesses it.

Even with one of the greats under center, the Jets are a joke. And the gallows humor continued here.

Rodgers threw an interception on his very first pass. He lined up at wide receiver. On a trick play, Allen Lazard attempted a touchdown pass to the quarterback. It was comical. But also a bit sad.

To think that less than 500 days have passed since electricity and energy flowed around this patch of New Jersey during all three plays. Then Rodgers went down and all hope and expectation evaporated.

It never returned. On that opening night, the quarterback – with the Stars and Stripes in his hand – was confronted by a wall of noise and color. On Sunday he went back through the same tunnel. After what he has called “the best two years of (his) life.”

But MetLife was virtually empty and the sun had set. Here’s to a miserable season. Perhaps in an era that once promised so much and a career that delivered so much.

Hours earlier, fans trickling off the trains at Meadowlands were met by blue skies, but also by a biting wind and rumors that began to swirl: Yes, this could really be it.

Reports emerged that several people close to Rodgers were beginning to prepare for the next chapter — not just a life away from the Jets, but a life away from the NFL as a whole.

The 41-year-old combined with Davante Adams as the Jets secured victory at MetLife Stadium

Rodgers celebrates with offensive lineman Max Mitchell after throwing his 500th career TD

Rodgers teased that possibility earlier this week as he reflected on everything he gave to this game and everything it has given him. Those last 20 years wouldn’t be on his mind, Rodgers insisted, when it came to game day. But it must have been hard not to look at the big screen.

As the Jets wrapped up warmups, the jumbotron showed the closing moments of the Chicago Bears’ win over the Green Bay Packers. At Lambeau Field, where it all started for Rodgers in September 2008.

The Packers – where Rodgers spent eighteen seasons – are preparing for the playoffs; here they can’t even unfurl a flag without problems. Shortly before kickoff, dozens of fans fanned out across the field, holding a giant green Jets flag. It was the wrong way.

At least there was hardly anyone here who saw the blunder. The flag had disappeared as the players lined up for the national anthem.

Rodgers linked arms with Davante Adams and Allen Lazard — two of his receivers in Green Bay — and then tried to connect with his old friend. On the Jets’ first play, the quarterback threw to Adams; the pass was taken away. Rodgers could only shake his head.

A few minutes later, Rodgers and Adams exchanged laterals and the receiver was crushed. Three goals over two drives and all the Jets had to come for it? One interception and one negative yards.

A grim start, but a nice illustration of how – with the Jets – not much works as it should. Or, in the case of Rodgers and Adams, as it once did. What miserable years these have been. Since Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon and ended his first Jets season before it really began.

Even after returning to the field, the quarterback was rehabbing — or at least that’s what it felt like to him.

Rodgers’ first pass of the game against the Miami Dolphins was intercepted by the defense

The 41-year-old linked arms with Adams and Allen Lazard during the national anthem

To think that Rodgers promised to win the second Super Bowl of his career – and Jets history. Instead, New York had a higher winning percentage with Zach Wilson under center. Hope turned to despair and finally to fatigue.

Of course, that’s not just Rodgers’ fault. The Jets are a fractured organization without a head coach or general manager. It seems almost certain that they will need a new quarterback soon as well. They won’t find one as experienced or decorated as Rodgers.

Rodgers went to 500 touchdowns with a short pass to Tyler Conklin. He kept the ball and basked in praise from the Jets bench. He moved to 501 with a 13-yard pass to Lazard.

Rodgers smiled as he sat down on the bench. He had a little more fun in the second half as the Jets dug deep into the playbook. And then he threw touchdowns Nos. 502 and 503 to secure the victory. Two short steps – to Adams and then to Breece Hall.

It meant Rodgers finished the game with 274 yards and four scoring passes. Now the time has come to choose what comes next. To decide if this is really a goodbye.