Aaron Rodgers believes that his achievements in football are evident enough not to require him to justify his value to the New York Jets during the concluding phase of the season. The four-time NFL MVP described the idea of needing to prove himself as “ridiculous.” He expressed, “If they want me to stay, fantastic. If it takes these five games, maybe they don’t know what I bring to the table. But that being said, I’d love to play really friggin’ well the last five games.”
At the age of 41, Rodgers has faced challenges this season with both his performance and health as the Jets navigate a disappointing 3-9 record. Throughout the season, he has battled various leg injuries, including a sprained ankle, a sore knee, and a tweaked hamstring. Although he reported feeling better following the bye week, his inconsistency was apparent in a recent 26-21 defeat against Seattle, where he was unable to lead his team to victory in the final moments.
There were rumors suggesting that the Jets might consider substituting Rodgers for Tyrod Taylor to invigorate the offense. However, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich confirmed that Rodgers would remain the starting quarterback, provided he is healthy. During his weekly segment on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers emphasized his intention to conclude the season by participating in every game despite the team’s struggles.
Rodgers remarked, “That’s what you do when you’re a professional, and the most important ability you can have is availability, which I wasn’t available last year,” referring to his previous season when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon shortly after starting with the Jets. He expressed his passion for playing and his desire to be present with his teammates, stating, “I’m hyper-competitive and I love to be out there with the guys.”
While Rodgers has compiled 2,627 passing yards along with 19 touchdowns this season, he acknowledges that his performance has not met expectations, citing his 6.3 yards-per-pass attempt—the lowest of his career as a starter. He initially mentioned considering playing next year, but has since revised his stance, indicating uncertainty about his future. Health will be a significant determinant in his decision, with the Jets being his preferred choice if he continues his career.
There are questions surrounding the Jets’ interest in retaining him as they undergo a rebuilding phase with a new general manager and coaching staff after the departures of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. Rodgers has heard from some supporters about wanting him back but noted, “not the people who are making those decisions.” He indicated that discussions about his future would occur eventually but emphasized his focus on health and performance first.
Reflecting on his recent renovations to his home in New Jersey and his aspirations to continue playing for several more years, Rodgers stated, “But we’ll see. I’d like to be healthy, I’d like to end on my feet and then I’d like to play well and I’d like to feel like I’m wanted back. If not, again, I will not be offended.” He added, “I’ll think about whether I’d actually want to play or not, but it usually takes a good month to get away from it.”
During his segment, he also pointed out the success of the Detroit Lions, depicting their progress under Dan Campbell after a challenging start. He noted that the team has thrived thanks to supportive ownership, which prompted him to consider if the Jets have exhibited similar support. When asked about the Jets’ ownership, he replied, “I’d have to look. I don’t follow a lot of stuff,” before acknowledging the firings of their coach and GM as indicative of the situation.
In conclusion, while Rodgers remains committed to his immediate goals with the Jets, the future of his career remains a topic of speculation marked by health, performance, and the nature of the organization’s support.
