Aaron Rodgers Open to Mentoring a Young QB if He Stays with the Jets
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The NFL world was taken aback when the Green Bay Packers selected Jordan Love in the 2020 draft, seemingly preparing for life after Aaron Rodgers. Fast forward to today, and Rodgers finds himself in a similar situation with the New York Jets. However, this time, he’s not caught off guard. In fact, he’s ready to embrace the role of a mentor, should the Jets decide to draft a quarterback this spring.
Rodgers, who is still contemplating his future in the league, made it clear that the Jets’ potential decision to draft a quarterback won’t sway his own plans. “When they drafted Jordan, I felt like I was one bad stretch from being benched — and I won MVP a couple of years, so that’s the way the league is,” Rodgers reflected after a recent practice. “You have to prove you can play every single week and through stretches.”
He added, “So if [the Jets] asked me back and they drafted a guy, I’d mentor the hell out of him if I was playing and I’d try to play as well as I could to keep him on the bench.”
Back in 2020, Rodgers was 36 when the Packers made their move for Love, and he responded by winning his third and fourth MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. However, by 2023, Love had taken over the starting role. Now at 41, Rodgers is facing a different set of circumstances. His performance this season hasn’t been up to his usual standards, and with the Jets undergoing a regime change, his future remains uncertain.
Rodgers has stated that he will take his time deciding on his future, saying, “I’m going to take some time after the year — unless I get released right away — but I’ll still take some time whether or not I want to play. But I’ll take some time to get away from it, either way.”
The Jets, currently sitting at 4-10, are preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams (8-6) at MetLife Stadium. With two top-40 draft picks potentially in their grasp, they might be in a position to select a quarterback. As it stands, Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor (35), and rookie Jordan Travis (non-football injury list) are under contract for 2025, but none is seen as a long-term solution.
Should Rodgers choose to continue playing, he has expressed a preference for staying with the Jets. “I mean, there are a lot of reasons why this would be a great opportunity, but I’m going to see what happens,” Rodgers said. “There are a lot of things yet to happen. You have to hire a GM, have to hire a head coach, and then whether or not I’m part of conversation or whether or not they move on. Whatever happens, I’ll be taking my time and thinking about my future.”
- Rodgers’ 2025 cap charge is $23.5 million.
- He has a $35 million option bonus due in 2025.
- If released or traded, the Jets face a $49 million cap hit in 2025.
- Returning under his current contract would result in a $63 million dead cap charge in 2026.
Despite the financial implications, Rodgers is open to renegotiating his contract, having already taken a voluntary pay cut of $34 million in 2023. “Yeah, I’m open to everything,” he stated.
While the general sentiment within the organization suggests Rodgers might not return, his recent performances could complicate the decision for the new management. Over the past two games, Rodgers has thrown for 628 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, achieving a 76.8 Total QBR, which ranks sixth in the league.
Wide receiver Allen Lazard commented on Rodgers’ recent form, saying, “It’s definitely closer to the Aaron Rodgers that we all know and expect him to be, but I still think he has a ways to go to get back to the MVP Rodgers that I know. He’s been phenomenal these past two games, but I know he can be ever better.”
Originally Written by: Rich Cimini
