The New York Jets have officially confirmed the disastrous Aaron Rodgers era is over.
The departure of the 41-year-old means the Jets face $49million in dead money. As for Rodgers, his future in the game is unclear from here.
The quarterback has, at times, hinted that he could retire after the season was over but has also suggested before that he’d like to play on in New York.
‘Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,’ new head coach Aaron Glenn said in a joint statement with new GM Darren Mougey, who are now searching for a new quarterback.
‘It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures.
‘We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.’
After appearing to be on the brink of retirement, Rodgers went into a darkness retreat in February 2023 to consider if should keep on playing.
When he emerged, he left the Green Bay Packers – where he had spent his entire career – for the Big Apple, vowing to lead the Jets to their first Super Bowl triumph since 1969.
His arrival ignited waves of excitement around the city. But minutes into his first game – against Buffalo Bills on September 11 at MetLife Stadium, where he ran out onto the field carrying the US flag – Rodgers tore his Achilles and was ruled out for the rest of his first season as a Jet.
He tried desperately to return that year, hinting at his recovery going ahead of schedule through his weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show and suggesting that his belief in alternative medicine could help him return quickly.
But as the Jets playoff hopes faded with Zach Wilson deputizing for Rodgers, he didn’t make it.
In his comeback season in 2024, the Jets ended the campaign with a 5-12 record and failed to make the playoffs.
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