Report: Rodgers tried to stay with Jets for another season
Aaron Rodgers tried to convince the New York Jets to stick with him for another season or two before the team officially parted ways with the quarterback, a source told New York Post's Steve Helling and Ryan Dunleavy.
Rodgers aggressively tried to negotiate another deal over multiple conversations last week, according to Helling and Dunleavy. The 41-year-old wanted to go out "on top" before retiring.
New York announced that Rodgers wouldn't be returning to the team Thursday. The team didn't offer a reason for the separation, and Rodgers hasn't publicly commented since.
The Jets hired Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey as their new head coach and general manager, respectively, this offseason. Owner Woody Johnson said that the decision under center would be left up to the two newcomers.
Rodgers joined the team on a three-year deal in 2023 and sustained a season-ending Achilles injury four snaps into his first game. Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns as the Jets' starter in 2024 and finished the campaign with a 5-12 record.
The Jets would swallow $49 million in dead money if they released Rodgers after June 1, according to Over the Cap. New York will reportedly look into a veteran to fill the quarterback vacancy, per ESPN's Rich Cimini, and the team currently has $16.8 million in cap space for 2025.
The Jets have the longest active playoff drought in all major sports, having missed the postseason for 14 years.