Aaron Rodgers is still thinking about his future as a player. The star quarterback knows that if he returns to the field, whether it is with the New York Jets, it may be out of his control.
The 41-year-old Rodgers said last week that he will take some time after this season, his 20th in the NFL, to determine what he wants to do next. On Monday, he suggested a decision on whether he returns to the Jets could be made for him the day after the team’s regular-season finale.
“I think there’s a world where on January 6th they just say, ‘Hey, thanks, we’re going in a different direction,’” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“That’s a possibility,” he added. “I think there is also a possibility that we will wait and see who the new staff is.”
The Jets have begun the search for a general manager after Joe Douglas was fired last month. They will also look for a new coach after Robert Saleh was fired on Oct. 8 and replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
New York is 4-11 this season and will miss the playoffs for the 14th straight year, the longest active drought in the NFL. A key decision for owner Woody Johnson and the franchise will be whether to keep Rodgers — he’s under contract for next season — or part ways with the quarterback and let the new regime start over.
Rodgers has said his first preference, if he decides to keep playing, would be to do so with the Jets, and he reiterated Monday that he would be willing to take a pay cut and mentor a young quarterback if the team drafts one . But it’s unclear whether Johnson shares the sentiment that he wants Rodgers back.
In a story published by the Athletic last week, anonymous sources described a level of dysfunction within the franchise. It included allegations that Johnson was influenced by his teenage sons Brick and Jack.
“Getting out would be a first,” Rodgers said. “To be let go by a teenager, that would also be a first.”
He laughed at the idea and clearly referred to the Athletic report.
“Hey, I’m open to anything and I’ll find the comedy in it,” Rodgers added. “If that happens, hey, it’s a great story.”
Rodgers was acquired from Green Bay during the 2023 offseason, but his debut with New York lasted just four seconds as he tore his left Achilles tendon. He returned for this season’s opener, but struggled with injuries to his knee, ankle and hamstring and was mostly inconsistent.
Rodgers threw his 499th regular-season touchdown pass on Sunday in the Jets’ 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, one shy of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre as the only players to reach 500. 24 TD passes and eight interceptions this season.
But the Jets have struggled this season, even with Rodgers under center. During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, he suggested that leaks within the organization could affect the team’s performance.
“Once that becomes clear, it makes it a little easier to win,” Rodgers said. “I mean, it doesn’t directly impact the players on the field, but it does impact the culture, the chemistry and the overall energy of the building. And that is what needs to be improved.”