Aaron Rodgers: From the Brink to the Bridge
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Just a couple of weeks ago, the New York Jets’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers found himself in a precarious position. His performance had dipped so significantly that his short-term job security was under scrutiny, with the dreaded “B” word—bench—being whispered in media circles. It was a tense 24 hours until interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stepped in with a public vote of confidence, quelling the storm, at least temporarily.
Fast forward to today, and Rodgers has flipped the script. His last two games have been his most prolific passing performances of the season, sparking a wave of support from fans and some media pundits. The conversation has shifted to whether Rodgers should be the Jets’ “bridge” quarterback for 2025, a testament to how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
Ulbrich, reflecting on Rodgers’ recent form, noted, “He struggled with injury for a good part of the season, and, as he’s starting to get healthier, you’re starting to see Aaron Rodgers—the real Aaron Rodgers.” Ulbrich believes the 41-year-old quarterback still has at least two more seasons in him.
However, the decision on Rodgers’ future isn’t solely in Ulbrich’s hands. The Jets are in a state of transition, having parted ways with coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas earlier this season. A new leadership team will soon take the reins, and their first major decision will be Rodgers’ fate.
Several factors will influence this decision: Rodgers’ age, his salary cap implications, the composition of the roster, and other quarterback options. Additionally, the new regime’s comfort level with Rodgers’ often polarizing persona will play a role.
On the field, the question remains: Is Rodgers’ recent resurgence genuine, or is it merely a late-season mirage? In his last two outings—a loss to the Miami Dolphins and a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars—Rodgers threw for 628 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, achieving a 76.8 total QBR, which ranks sixth in the league. He even rushed for a team-high 45 yards against the Jaguars, a feat not seen from a player in his 40s since Doug Flutie in 2003.
Rodgers humorously remarked, “I take a lot of pride in my minimal athleticism, but this is what I trained so hard for during those nine months.” For the first time in a while, Rodgers is playing without appearing on the injury report, having battled a sprained knee, ankle, and a significant hamstring strain earlier in the season.
Looking back, perhaps Rodgers should have taken a break to heal, but with the Jets sitting at 4-10, he was determined to stay in the lineup. His mobility, a key component of his game, was clearly hampered by these injuries.
During his weekly appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers admitted, “Unfortunately, I went through a difficult stretch in the middle. That being said, if I’m out there, I expect to play well, so there’s no excuses. … But I was battling.”
Teams often fall into the trap of overvaluing late-season performances, especially when they’re out of playoff contention. Against the Jaguars, both teams were already eliminated, and the conditions were perfect for a big passing day. The weather in Jacksonville was a comfortable 73 degrees, and the Jaguars’ defense ranked last in yards allowed. Rodgers had ample time in the pocket, with a time-to-throw average of 3.18 seconds, his longest of the season, and was hit only three times.
In this ideal setting, Rodgers threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, a performance expected from the start of the season. However, he had endured a rough patch with six interceptions over three games (Weeks 5-7) and another stretch (Weeks 10-13) where he failed to surpass 200 yards.
Overall, Rodgers has thrown eight interceptions this season, but only one in the last seven games. Wide receiver Allen Lazard commented, “Some of [the interceptions] were bad decisions, but some of them were just tipped passes.” He cited instances against the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks where defensive linemen made unexpected plays.
Despite some bad luck, Rodgers ranks 32nd out of 34 qualified passers in completion percentage over expected, a career-low -4.8%. His performance under pressure remains a concern, with a completion rate of just 37% in the last two games, below the league average.
Rodgers will face tougher challenges in the coming weeks with cold-weather games against the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Dolphins. The Rams are on a three-game winning streak, and the Bills boast one of the league’s stingiest scoring defenses.
Rodgers dismissed the idea that he’s auditioning for next season, calling it “ridiculous.” Publicly, he remains undecided about playing a 21st season, but if he does, his “first option” is the Jets. However, the organization may choose a different path.
The prevailing sentiment within the Jets is that Rodgers won’t be asked to return for the final year of his contract. A trade is possible, but Rodgers would need to approve it due to his no-trade clause. His future will undoubtedly be a hot topic in the coming months.
Ulbrich expressed his desire to see Rodgers continue playing, saying, “If he maintains good health, he’s a guy that I would love to see play longer just because he is such a special player.”
Originally Written by: Rich Cimini
