Aaron Rodgers’ Future with the Jets: Uncertainty Looms, But He’s Starting Sunday
It’s been a rollercoaster season for the New York Jets, and the drama surrounding quarterback Aaron Rodgers is only adding to the intrigue. While questions swirl about Rodgers’ long-term future with the Jets, one thing is certain for now: he will “absolutely” start this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. That confirmation came straight from interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich on Monday, who made it clear there’s been no internal talk of shutting Rodgers down for the rest of the season.
At 3-8, the Jets are teetering on the edge of mathematical elimination from playoff contention. Combine that with Rodgers’ underwhelming performance this season and a slew of leg injuries earlier in the year, and it’s no surprise that speculation about benching him or placing him on injured reserve has been rampant. But for now, Ulbrich is standing by his quarterback.
“All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich said. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the past month. And a healthy Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers we all love. So I’m excited about what that looks like.”
Rodgers’ Health and Performance Under the Microscope
Rodgers has been battling knee, hamstring, and ankle injuries since September, but he’s managed to practice fully ahead of the Jets’ last two games. Over the weekend, a report surfaced claiming the four-time MVP refused medical imaging tests to stay on the field. Ulbrich dismissed the report, saying, “News to me.”
Despite his resilience, Rodgers’ numbers this season tell a different story. He’s ranked 24th out of 33 qualified passers in Total QBR with a below-average 51.4. He hasn’t thrown for 300 yards in a game all season, extending his drought to 33 straight games, and the Jets’ offense has yet to score 30 points in a single contest. It’s a far cry from the dominance fans have come to expect from the future Hall of Famer.
Front Office Shake-Up Adds to the Drama
The Jets’ season took another dramatic turn recently when owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. The move has cast a shadow over Rodgers’ future with the team, especially as he approaches his 41st birthday on Monday. While Rodgers has expressed interest in playing in 2025, his return to the Jets is far from guaranteed. One source told ESPN last week that they’d be “shocked” if Johnson approves Rodgers’ return, though the decision could ultimately fall to the team’s next GM and head coach.
Rodgers’ own preferences will also play a role. He may not be eager to return under a new coaching staff, and while he’s under contract for 2025, none of his salary is guaranteed. The Jets’ backup quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, is signed through 2025, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Ulbrich and Rodgers: On the Same Page?
Amid the swirling rumors, Ulbrich said he didn’t feel the need to have a heart-to-heart with Rodgers when the team returned from their bye week. “No, I feel like we are on the same page,” Ulbrich said. “I think we’re both people that are — not to say I’m completely void of the knowledge of what’s going on outside this building — but my focus is here and what I can control. I think he feels the same way. From that standpoint, we’ve been on the same page from the beginning of this.”
Passing-game coordinator Todd Downing also came to Rodgers’ defense, praising his work ethic. “I want to be very clear about his work ethic and his process this year,” Downing said. “He’s worked extremely hard. That did not change coming back from the bye.”
Playoff Hopes Fading Fast
The Jets’ playoff chances are hanging by a thread — ESPN analytics give them just a 0.7% chance of making it to the postseason. If and when the team is officially eliminated, the conversation around Rodgers’ role could shift. For now, though, Rodgers remains the starter, even as the team stumbles toward what looks like its ninth straight losing season.
Despite the bleak outlook, linebacker C.J. Mosley, a team captain, made it clear that he expects full effort from his teammates. “You really have to not care about anybody in this building if your mindset goes to, ‘We’re 3-8, I’m done. I’m out of here. I’m checked out. I don’t want to play anymore,’” Mosley said. “If anybody is on our team thinking that way, it’s going to show really fast and I know I’m going to call it out.”
As the Jets prepare to face the Seahawks on Sunday, all eyes will be on Rodgers. Will he find a way to turn things around, or is this the beginning of the end for his time in New York? One thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over.
Originally Written by: Rich Cimini
