The New York Jets’ longtime nemesis, Bill Belichick, believes that Aaron Rodgers still has a future in the NFL despite his turbulent 2024 season. The New England Patriots’ head coach, who has faced Rodgers many times throughout his storied career, doesn’t appear ready to write off the veteran quarterback just yet, even as the Jets face another losing season.
On the latest episode of the ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast, Belichick shared his perspective on Rodgers, who is now 41 years old and trying to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in 2023. Despite the setbacks, Belichick expressed confidence that Rodgers could be poised for a comeback in 2025.
“[Rodgers] could easily rebound from that and be ready to play and have a good year next year,” Belichick said. He drew comparisons to other quarterbacks who have managed to find success after switching teams or experiencing career setbacks. “You look at all the quarterbacks in the league that are kind of on their second teams, and they’re doing pretty well—Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, [Sam] Darnold, Baker Mayfield, you go right down the line, [Matthew] Stafford for that matter, Jared Goff,” he added.
Belichick emphasized that a change in circumstances can sometimes be all it takes for a player to rediscover their form. “These guys that switch teams, they get in a different system, things are a little bit different for them. Maybe they learn some things from whatever it was their previous experiences were. It changes. When a guy has a long career and a good career, sometimes one season is just a bump in the road. It’s not necessarily the end of the road,” he explained.
For Rodgers, the 2024 season has been full of challenges. Although there have been flashes of his former greatness, the consistency hasn’t been there, and the Jets have struggled to find their rhythm on offense. As a result, the team currently sits at a disappointing 3-9 record, with their playoff hopes all but extinguished.
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Statistically, Rodgers has shown some promise but has also faced significant struggles. He has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,627 yards, throwing for 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
However, he has failed to deliver in key moments, as the Jets are 0-5 in situations where Rodgers had the ball and needed to execute a game-winning drive, according to NFL reporter Connor Hughes.
With rumors swirling about Rodgers’ future, it remains unclear what lies ahead for the four-time MVP. Reports suggest that while Rodgers may want to continue playing in the NFL next season, he might not be interested in doing so with the Jets. The uncertainty adds yet another layer of intrigue to what has already been a tumultuous season for New York.
Belichick, however, has seen firsthand how quarterbacks in the latter stages of their careers can still find success.
He famously coached Tom Brady, who defied age and expectations by continuing to perform at a high level well into his 40s. “That’s one of the toughest things to do as a coach in professional football, to figure out when that right time is or isn’t,” Belichick said. “One thing you run into sometimes with players as they age in their career is the injury factor.”
Belichick noted that injuries can sometimes mask a player’s true abilities, especially as they get older. “Sometimes players can have an injury at the later point in their career and make it look like maybe it’s an age problem when actually it was an injury problem. And then once that injury clears up, then there’s a lot more good football left in that player,” he added, offering hope that Rodgers might have more left in the tank once he fully recovers.
The Jets, meanwhile, are heading into a period of significant change. With a disappointing season nearing its end, the team is expected to make major organizational changes, including finding a new head coach and general manager.
The decisions made in the coming months will play a crucial role in determining the future of the franchise—and whether Aaron Rodgers will be a part of it.
As the offseason approaches, all eyes will be on the Jets and their next moves.
Belichick’s comment will undoubtedly add fuel to the speculation that the future Hall of Fame coach might be interested in coaching Aaron Rodgers next season, whether with the Jets or another team.
Either way, it promises to be an intriguing offseason for the Jets, Rodgers, and Belichick.
For now, though, it’s clear that one of their fiercest rivals still believes Aaron Rodgers has what it takes to make a comeback, and that his storied career may have one more chapter left to be written.
