Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is undecided on whether or not he needs to proceed his legendary profession in 2025. If he does, he needs it to be with the New York Jets.
The four-time MVP, showing Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Present,” addressed his future amid studies over the weekend that stated he needs out of New York and that he might be benched and even launched by the tip of the season.
“I do not even know if I need to play but, however New York can be my first choice,” Rodgers stated throughout his weekly look, commenting on subsequent season.
Rodgers, who turns 41 subsequent Monday, stated he’ll base his resolution on how his physique feels and whether or not the Jets need him again.
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“You need to be in a spot the place you are feeling like you possibly can win and also you’re valued,” stated Rodgers, mired in one of many worst statistical seasons of his profession.
The selection may not be his.
The Jets (3-8), who fired coach Robert Saleh and basic supervisor Joe Douglas, may have a brand new regime in 2025. The brand new leaders could decide to chop ties with Rodgers, who’s signed for 2025 however has no assured cash remaining in his contract. They may flip the place over to present backup Tyrod Taylor and a extremely drafted rookie.
Rodgers used his spot on the present to disclaim varied studies, together with a report by The Athletic that he needs to play in 2025, simply not for the Jets.
“That is 100% false,” he stated, including that he is “not leaping off the ship.”
However he created waves by expressing uncertainty about his need to maintain taking part in. When requested two weeks in the past if he needs to play in 2025, Rodgers stated, “Yeah, I believe so” — hardly a convincing sure. A number of days later, the Jets’ disappointing season unraveled even additional with a crushing last-minute loss to the Indianapolis Colts and the firing of Douglas.
Rodgers mulled retirement after the 2022 season, finally deciding throughout his notorious darkness retreat that he wished to proceed. The Inexperienced Bay Packers traded him to the Jets in April 2023. His aim, he stated, was to present “two good seasons” to the Jets. His 2023 season lasted solely 4 snaps earlier than he ruptured his left Achilles, and he joked that this season hasn’t been that good, both.
“While you’re 40, occurring 41, you are clearly on the finish of your profession,” he stated. “… Clearly, if it is New York, they should need me to be right here. After which the brand new GM, new workers all should need me to be with the Jets. After which body-wise, I’ve to see how I am feeling and if I need to join to return to the grind and all that, but it surely feels good. I am wholesome now.
“It is not as a lot enjoyable once you’re coping with rehab on a regular basis. So, if I can keep wholesome the remainder of the yr and play the way in which I need to play, and everyone feels good about bringing me again, then there is a resolution there. And if not, then there’s all the opposite choices. I believe, at this level, I am open to all the pieces and hooked up to nothing. So, it is a good place to be.”
Rodgers battled hamstring, knee and ankle accidents earlier within the season, little doubt contributing to his pedestrian numbers — 17 landing passes, seven interceptions. There have been studies that he might be benched or positioned on injured reserve and even launched by the tip of the season.
On Monday, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stated there was no inside dialogue about shutting down the longer term Corridor of Famer. He stated Rodgers will “completely” begin Sunday towards the Seattle Seahawks and that “a wholesome Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers all of us love.”
Rodgers made it clear that he needs to maintain taking part in regardless that the Jets have nearly no shot on the playoffs.
“I can’t willingly go on IR with out an harm,” he stated.
“… If I can keep wholesome the remainder of the yr and play the way in which I need to play, and everyone feels good about bringing me again, then there is a resolution there. And if not, then there’s all the opposite choices. I believe, at this level, I am open to all the pieces and hooked up to nothing. So, it is a good place to be.”
Aaron Rodgers
He confirmed that he hasn’t had any medical imaging exams for his accidents, insisting he did not want them as a result of he trusted his personal intestine feeling and the evaluations of the group’s medical workers.
The Rodgers experiment has been a significant disappointment for the Jets, who’re 10-18 for the reason that commerce (together with the 16 video games he missed). He acknowledged the 2 seasons have been “irritating and troublesome,” however not a complete loss.
“These have been two of crucial years of my life and two of the very best years of my life,” he stated.
Rodgers stated he felt unhealthy that Douglas was fired final week. It occurred after a bye-week observe. Rodgers stated he observed proprietor Woody Johnson arriving through helicopter throughout observe, as he typically does. This time, he had a humorous feeling.
“I simply knew one thing is perhaps taking place right here, and I used to be like, ‘Rattling, I hope it is not Joe,'” stated Rodgers, who realized throughout a flight to California that Douglas had been fired.
