Aaron Rodgers capped off the Jets’ tumultuous 2024 season with a vintage performance, throwing four touchdown passes in a 32-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The 41-year-old quarterback’s stellar outing drew the attention of Fox commentator Greg Olsen, who suggested Rodgers’ performance may have turned the heads of quarterback-needy teams across the league as they prepare for the 2025 season.
A Spectacular Finale
In what was arguably his best performance since joining the Jets, Rodgers completed 23 of 36 passes for 274 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. His effort included the 500th touchdown pass of his illustrious career, a milestone that added to the narrative of his potential NFL swan song.
“This is the best version of Aaron Rodgers we’ve seen all year,” Olsen said during the broadcast. “We’ve talked a lot about whether he can still play, whether he can still move, whether he can do all of the physical things. Coming into today, he had five touchdown passes under pressure or on the move through 17 weeks. He’s thrown four today — the most by any quarterback the entire season.”
Rodgers’ Week 18 performance, marked by precision and poise, offered a glimpse of the quarterback Jets fans had hoped to see consistently over the past two seasons. His 2023 debut was cut short by a devastating Achilles injury just four plays into the season, and his 2024 campaign was marred by the Jets’ ongoing struggles, culminating in a 5-12 record.
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Speculation About Rodgers’ Future
As Rodgers contemplates whether to return for another season, Olsen’s comments fueled speculation that teams around the league might see the veteran quarterback as a short-term solution. With the Jets now undergoing a search for a new head coach and general manager, Rodgers’ future in New York appears uncertain.
Jets owner Woody Johnson hinted that the decision on Rodgers’ role will rest with the incoming regime. “The coach will have to decide what the quarterback situation is,” Johnson told The New York Post’s Brian Costello. “That’s going to be a very important job for the general manager and the coach – what do we want, when do we get it, and what’s our timeline. Where does Aaron Rodgers fit into that?”
Rodgers’ Thoughts on His Future
After the game, Rodgers expressed his willingness to have an open dialogue with Jets leadership about his place in the team’s plans. “It feels good to be able to do some of the things the last five or six weeks that I knew I was capable of doing even at 40, 41,” Rodgers said. “But either way, whatever the decisions are, I won’t be upset or offended.”
Rodgers’ 2024 season stats — 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — demonstrate that he remains a capable quarterback, even as he approaches the twilight of his career. However, whether those numbers are enough to entice the Jets or another team remains to be seen.
Rodgers’ Legacy and Potential Landing Spots
A 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Rodgers spent the first 20 years of his career with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Jets in 2023. Despite the ups and downs of his New York tenure, Sunday’s performance reminded fans of the magic he can still bring to the field.
For teams in need of a veteran quarterback — particularly those with championship aspirations — Rodgers’ Week 18 showcase may serve as a compelling audition. Whether it’s a rebuilding team looking for leadership or a contender seeking a final piece, Rodgers could be an attractive option.
Jets Face a Critical Offseason
The Jets now face a pivotal offseason. With a roster featuring talent on both sides of the ball and the possibility of a high draft pick, the decisions made by the next head coach and general manager will shape the franchise’s direction. Whether Rodgers remains part of those plans or moves on to a new chapter is one of the offseason’s biggest questions.
For Rodgers, Sunday’s performance was more than just a victory—it was a statement that, even at 41, he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Whether that journey continues in New York or elsewhere, Rodgers’ future will be one of the most closely watched storylines heading into the 2025 season.
