FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, mired in one of many worst statistical seasons of his legendary profession, desires to play in 2025.
“I feel so, yeah,” he mentioned Wednesday, 19 days shy of his forty first birthday.
It wasn’t a convincing sure, maybe as a result of he is aware of that organizational adjustments within the offseason may impression his choice.
Rodgers, who mentioned final offseason that he hopes to play “two or three or 4 extra years,” indicated the crew’s disappointing season (3-7) hasn’t modified his emotions.
“Not likely, not for the adverse,” he mentioned. “Not likely, no.”
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Rodgers, getting back from Achilles surgical procedure, has battled hamstring, knee and ankle accidents, however he hasn’t missed any snaps due to damage. The four-time MVP, nonetheless, hasn’t performed as much as his normal degree. He is ranked twenty fourth out of 32 certified passers in Complete QBR (52.0), with 15 landing passes, 7 interceptions and a career-low 6.4 yards per try.
“I am not enjoying in addition to I’d’ve favored to play, for positive,” he mentioned. “The sweetness on this sport is it is a crew sport. The irritating half is that if you happen to’re a fantastic competitor, you maintain your self to a normal that is not unrealistic, and I have never reached that normal this 12 months.”
Rodgers is beneath contract for 2025, however none of his compensation is assured at this level. To convey him again, the Jets must train a $35 million possibility bonus. He additionally has a $2.5 million base wage. His cap cost could be a manageable $23.5 million.
Rodgers expressed optimism, saying “the decision continues to be not out on this season but.” The Jets, coming off a 31-6 drubbing by the Arizona Cardinals, face the Indianapolis Colts (4-6) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Jets are 1-4 since firing Robert Saleh and changing him with Jeff Ulbrich as interim coach. Ulbrich, who doubles because the defensive coordinator, obtained a robust endorsement from Rodgers.
“I really feel like he is accomplished some actually good issues,” Rodgers mentioned. “I feel Brick is an NFL head coach, whether or not it is right here shifting ahead or down the road. I imply, he is a frontrunner of males and I am going to stand by him. I might like to play for him till the tip. So have plenty of love and respect for him.”
Rodgers delivered an identical vote of confidence for Saleh late final season, and it carried plenty of weight with possession, which retained Saleh after a second straight 7-10 end. A part of the pondering was that the crew, with a wholesome Rodgers, would rebound strongly. That hasn’t occurred, and now there might be a brand new coach and common supervisor in 2025.
Rodgers, 3-7 for the primary time in his 20-year profession, has been “100% supportive of this complete employees and this complete crew in getting this factor fastened,” mentioned Ulbrich, including that Rodgers suggests “little tweaks right here and there” about sport planning and scheduling.
Ulbrich is taking a back-to-basics strategy this week, calling for full-pads practices to enhance the Jets’ shoddy tackling. They missed 20 tackles in opposition to the Cardinals, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats. He carried out a tackling presentation for the complete crew on Wednesday, not simply the protection.
He additionally made a change within the defensive lineup, benching security Tony Adams this week, a supply mentioned. It is a shocking transfer, contemplating Adams — a two-year starter — is the Jets’ third-leading tackler.
“We’ll get again to fundamentals and fundamentals,” Ulbrich mentioned, including, “That’s one thing we will enhance, and we’ll enhance.” Rodgers applauded the strategy.
“It is a wake-up name for all of us,” he mentioned. “Anytime you lose on the whole, however once you lose the best way we have misplaced this 12 months, I feel it’s important to verify the method … and if it isn’t ensuing within the efficiency that you really want — and that is for all of us, myself included — then it’s important to make alterations.”
