By Josh 
The New York Jets have officially parted ways with Aaron Rodgers, bringing an end to a highly anticipated tenure that ultimately fell far short of expectations.
In a joint statement, newly appointed head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey confirmed they met with Rodgers last week to inform him of their decision to move in a different direction.
“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures,” Glenn and Mougey said. “We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”
Jets owner Woody Johnson, who reportedly pushed for Rodgers to be benched during the 2024 season, also issued a statement.
“His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement, and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career,” Johnson said. “From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here.”
Rodgers’ New York Tenure Ends in Disappointment
Rodgers was expected to be the franchise quarterback who would lead the Jets back to the Super Bowl. Instead, his time in New York was plagued by injuries, controversy, and underwhelming performances.
- In 2023, he tore his Achilles just four plays into the season opener.
- Upon returning in 2024, he led the Jets to just five wins.
- Off-field distractions—including his COVID-19 stance, comments on Jeffrey Epstein and Jimmy Kimmel, and skipping a mandatory minicamp for a vacation in Egypt—only added to the turmoil.
Statistically, Rodgers struggled in 2024, throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns but ranking poorly in key efficiency metrics:
- 25th in Total QBR (48.0)
- 30th in completion percentage (63.0%)
- 28th in yards per attempt (6.7)
What’s Next for Rodgers? Steelers Emerge as Early Favorite
Despite turning 41 years old, Rodgers is expected to draw interest from teams in need of a veteran quarterback. Early reports suggest the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a top destination, given head coach Mike Tomlin’s admiration for him. However, not all Steelers players are on board.
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott made his feelings clear on Instagram when responding to a post about Rodgers possibly landing in Pittsburgh:
“Leave his ass at the retirement home.”
Other teams rumored to be in the quarterback market include the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Rodgers himself has hinted at retirement once again.
As free agency looms, the question remains—will Rodgers take another shot at a Super Bowl, or is this the end of his storied career?