The New York Jets find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to Aaron Rodgers. The veteran quarterback, who turns 41 in December, has made it clear that he intends to keep playing, even as the team's season continues to spiral at 3-7. But the real question is whether the Jets still believe he's the guy to lead them back to relevancy.
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Rodgers addressed this on Wednesday, brushing off any notion that the current rough patch would alter his plans for 2025. His commitment hasn't wavered, even with the Jets looking nowhere near playoff-ready. That's where the debate gets interesting.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic and former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel hashed it out on the "Scoop City" podcast. Daniel didn't hold back, saying the Jets should move on and that bringing Rodgers back would be yet another chapter in what he called the franchise's "dysfunction." Russini, however, pushed back, noting that the Jets' current plan involves Rodgers coming back next season.
But not everyone's so sure. Zack Rosenblatt, also from The Athletic, highlighted that Rodgers' return in 2025 is "far from a lock." In a breakdown of potential quarterback shakeups for a dozen teams, Rosenblatt put it bluntly: "I'm not even sure I would put it at 50 percent at the moment."
There are legitimate concerns. Rodgers' age and last season's Achilles injury can't be ignored. The mobility that once made him special isn't what it used to be, and that's showing up on the field. Heading into Week 11, Rodgers has racked up 2,258 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions—respectable, but a far cry from vintage Rodgers.
Yet there's a glimmer of hope. The trade for Davante Adams has been a shot in the arm for Rodgers. Their connection, forged during their Green Bay days, has helped breathe some life into the offense. Adams is under contract for next season, and that might be the ace up the Jets' sleeve. Banking on a healthier Rodgers with Adams at his side could be enough to make them think twice about moving on.
Financially, the Jets aren't handcuffed. Rodgers doesn't carry any guaranteed money in 2025, so the team would only need to pay a $35 million option bonus plus a $2.5 million salary if they decide to bring him back. A $23.5 million cap hit for a quarterback of Rodgers' stature isn't exactly a deal-breaker.
So, do the Jets still see Rodgers as their ticket back to the playoffs, or is it time for a change? With Adams in the fold and a year of recovery under Rodgers' belt, they might just be willing to roll the dice again.
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