Even before the chaotic events of Tuesday, which saw the New York Jets fire general manager Joe Douglas, it was already becoming apparent that the team would have to reconsider its commitment to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This season has been filled with turbulent moments, and it seems that even without Douglas, the Jets would need to make a tough decision about Rodgers’ future.
It’s a surprising position for a 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback to be in, but the reality is that Rodgers finds himself at the helm of a struggling 3-8 team. A team that was carefully constructed around his talent has failed to deliver, and Rodgers’ performance has been underwhelming.
Through 11 games, Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, posting a passer rating of 88.9. For a player with his storied career, these numbers are a far cry from the dominance he once displayed.
When the Jets acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers two years ago, they knew they were getting a quarterback in the twilight of his career.
The hope was that they could extract a bit more magic from one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and perhaps make a deep playoff run. Unfortunately, that vision never materialized. Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles during the opener last season, a setback that significantly hampered his impact. Even after recovering, it became evident that he simply didn’t have enough left in the tank to lead the team as hoped.
Rodgers’ struggles have not gone unnoticed. The contract-analysis site Spotrac recently listed Rodgers as a surprising inclusion on their annual late-fall “roster bubble” list, which often doesn’t include many quarterbacks.
This year, however, there are 12 quarterbacks on the list, including Rodgers. The list features names like highly drafted busts Will Levis and Bryce Young, as well as overpaid underperformers such as Deshaun Watson. To see Rodgers’ name among them is a stark reminder of how far things have fallen.
Mike Ginnitti, managing editor of Spotrac, weighed in on the situation during a recent episode of “The Spotrac Podcast.” Ginnitti remarked, “The Aaron Rodgers stuff is getting ugly. It’s unfortunate. You can take the humanity side out of it and the personal stuff out of it for Aaron Rodgers and just put him on the pedestal he deserves from a football standpoint. He was an all-timer, early on… He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer for it.
“To see him struggling like this or not being able to elevate this team to even .500 status—let alone playoff contention—it’s tough. You hate to see players like this have this type of ending.”
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Despite Rodgers’ decorated career, his contract situation complicates matters further. He is owed a hefty $49 million, which could be somewhat offset by spreading the payout over 2024 and 2025. However, the financial burden is substantial, and the Jets may find themselves with little choice but to consider cutting ties with the quarterback.
With the recent firing of Douglas, the man who orchestrated the Rodgers acquisition, the prospect of moving on from the veteran signal-caller seems increasingly likely.
The situation is a difficult one for the Jets. Rodgers was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle—a veteran presence to guide a talented roster to contention.
Instead, the partnership has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, and the team has been left without the results they hoped for. Cutting Rodgers would be a significant step, both financially and symbolically, as it would mark the end of an era that never truly began.
For Rodgers, the prospect of being released is a far cry from the way most expected his career to wind down. He was once one of the most electrifying players in the league, capable of making plays that few others could.
Now, as his time with the Jets appears to be nearing its end, the question remains whether he will have another chapter left in his storied career—or whether this difficult season will be his final act in the NFL.
