New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers appears ready to accept the potential end to his 20-year NFL career.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Rodgers was asked, “Have you thought at all, Aaron, about if this is your last game or could be your last game?”
The 41-year-old, four-time MVP replied, “Yeah, of course.”
Rodgers Sounds Content
Rodgers waxed nostalgic, saying that he felt “a lot of gratitude for the last 20 years and the many countless lives I’ve encountered and the amazing teammates and coaches I now call friends.”
“This game has given me a lot,” the Super Bowl XLV MVP said. He added, “I’ve given a lot back to it. And I’m thankful for it.”
Rodgers told the press that he was “proud” of his “long career,” but hinted at an impending life transition, stating that he is “also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.”
Rodgers’ Career Highlights
Rodgers’ NFL career is indeed one to be proud of. A sure-shot first-ballot Hall of Famer, he is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
One of the most efficient and productive passers ever, Rodgers boasts the highest all-time single-season and career passer rating for quarterbacks. He is also tied with New England Patriots great Tom Brady for the most 40-plus touchdown passing seasons, with three.
Rodgers also shares the record for the most passing touchdowns in a single half, with six on November 9, 2014, against the Chicago Bears.
Drafted by the Green Bay Packers out of California in 2005, Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the team, leading them to a Super Bowl victory in 2011, where he was named MVP.
A Steep Drop With the Jets
Rodgers’s career with the Jets came with great expectations and instant disappointment. In 2023, the Packers traded him to the Jets. He then restructured a three-year contract, accepting a hefty pay cut to enable the Jets to acquire other talent in hopes of making their first playoff run since 2010.
Instead, his first season with the Jets came to an end just four snaps into his debut when he suffered a torn Achilles.
Rodgers said he won’t be thinking about his future on game day. Instead, he’ll try to “stay in the moment.”
But the elephant in the room on Week 18 will not only be the future of Rodgers but also a Jets organization in tumult.
In October, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start to the season. The gauntlet then came for general manager Joe Douglas who was let go in November.
Since then, the Jets have nosedived to a 4-12 record entering the final week of the season.
What the Future Holds
The Jets are reportedly looking to move on from Rodgers. The NFL great seems content at this point in his career with no hint of bitterness in his tone. He said he “wish[es] things would have gone better on the field,” but has “nothing but gratitude for this time in my life.”
Now, if Rodgers chooses to retire, he forfeits $23.5 million in salary for 2025. That may be why he when a reporter said it sounded like he was “leaning heavily toward retirement,” Rodgers said, “No, I’m just more resigned to the reality of the situation.”
Nothing is set in stone, but Rodgers and the Jets look set for an amicable divorce. The terms, however, remain unclear.
Globely News covers the game changers transforming the worlds of business, sports, politics, and technology. From AI and electric vehicles to the rise of China and the NFL's next stars, we've got you covered.