The New York Jets officially parted ways with Aaron Rodgers on Thursday, ending a disappointing two-year relationship that fell far short of expectations.
In a joint statement, new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey revealed they met with Rodgers last week to inform him of their decision to move in a different direction.
“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures,” Glenn and Mougey said in the statement. “We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”
https://t.co/Eovu2itIYy pic.twitter.com/FkcNRmH0OQ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 13, 2025
Jets owner Woody Johnson, who reportedly pushed for Rodgers to be benched during the 2024 season, offered his own statement of gratitude to the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
“His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement, and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career,” Johnson said. “From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here.”
When Rodgers arrived in New York in 2023, he was hailed as the franchise savior who would lead the Jets back to the Super Bowl. Instead, his tenure quickly turned into a nightmare. He tore his Achilles just four plays into the 2023 regular season opener, and upon his return in 2024, led the Jets to just five wins. Off-field controversies continued to swirl around Rodgers, from his COVID-19 views to his public comments about Jeffrey Epstein and Jimmy Kimmel, and his decision to skip a mandatory minicamp to vacation in Egypt.
Steelers player to Aaron Rodgers: ‘Leave his a** at the retirement home’
Despite being 41 years old, Rodgers is likely to draw interest from teams seeking a short-term solution at quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as early favorites, though at least one current player has voiced strong opposition to the idea.
“Leave his ass at the retirement home,” Steelers safety DeShon Elliott wrote on an Instagram post discussing rumors of Rodgers joining Pittsburgh. It’s not surprising given Rodgers’ antics and the media circus that accompanies him.
Seems like Deshon Elliot is not a fan of signing Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/BUrsHj53Uv
— Portersburgh (@PortersBurgh) February 11, 2025
While Rodgers did manage to throw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets in 2024, his efficiency metrics were concerning. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Rodgers ranked 25th in Total QBR (48.0), 30th in completion percentage (63.0%), and 28th in yards per attempt (6.7) among qualified passers.
Several teams remain in the market for a quarterback this offseason, including the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders. The Steelers’ interest seems most concrete, as head coach Mike Tomlin has long admired Rodgers, and both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields becoming free agents.
It remains to be seen if Rodgers will play next season as he has hinted at retirement once again.
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers place trade call for Pro Bowl QB drafted No. 1 overall