It’s out with the old and in with the new in New Jersey. With the league year officially beginning at 4:00 PM EST, the New York Jets made their final decision on this veteran quarterback. Despite a resume that includes four MVPs and a Super Bowl, he will not be retained. Soon to be Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be released. The 20-year veteran is expected to continue playing, with reports attaching him to two QB needy teams.
Jets to make Aaron Rodgers a post-June 1 cut on Wednesday.www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb…
— ProFootballTalk (@profootballtalk.bsky.social) 2025-03-12T20:25:27.101Z
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Breaking: New York Jets to Release 4-Time MVP Quarterback
The New York Jets are on a mission. They are committed to building the team into the vision of new head coach Aaron Glenn. The former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator is ready to see who will be on the team for 2025 and beyond. Along with general manager Darren Mougey, they want to do what’s best for the team long term. To do so, it made sense to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Before his two-year stint in New York, Rodgers was a staple for the Green Bay Packers organization for 15 seasons as a starter. Succeeding Brett Favre, Rodgers accounted for 475 touchdowns, just under 63,000 passing yards, and a QB rating of 103.6. Throughout that tenure, he won MVP in the 2011, 2014, 2019, and 2020 seasons. Alas, his great play only led to one Super Bowl appearance for Green Bay in 2011. Since then, the team failed to reach the Super Bowl after winning their fourth title.
Rodgers was acquired by the Jets in 2023 in exchange for a 2023 first round pick swap and a 2024th second round pick. Despite great fanfare, Rodgers missed the 2023 season suffering a torn Achilles four plays into his debut vs. the Buffalo Bills. He’d return as the full-time starter in 2024. Unfortunately, Rodgers underperformed finishing 25th in QBR and leading only five wins for New York starting all 17 games.
How the release impacts the Jets?
While he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, the team is making the right decision to move on. Even though Aaron Rodgers can still throw the ball, allowing a 42-year-old quarterback to throw the second most pass attempts in the league is doomed to fail. New offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will utilize Justin Fields as the team’s new quarterback.
Breaking: Justin Fields has reached an agreement on a two-year, $40M deal that includes $30M guaranteed with the New York Jets, sources told Adam Schefter.
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The 2021 first round pick isn’t as accurate of a passer as Rodgers, Fields’ athleticism will make using him on rollouts in play action smoother than Rodgers. In addition, Fields had his highest completion % of his career last season. Along with ten total touchdowns to only one interception. It will also improve the run game with Fields being a threat as a runner. Hopefully this creates more space for running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. After finishing 31st in rushing yards per game last year, the Jets offense looks to get more balanced.
Financially, moving on from Rodgers will come at a price. According to Over the Cap, the dead money from moving on from Aaron Rodgers will be $49 million. As a result, the franchise will split the dead money over this season and 2026. By designating him a post June 1st cut, the Jets cap hit for Aaron Rodgers will be $14 million after June 2nd. As a result, the Jets will be able to free an additional seven million dollars. In 2026, the dead cap hit for Rodgers will be $35 million. While it’s a lot of dead money to carry, general manager Darren Mougey oversaw the same transition with the Denver Broncos this season. Despite the dead money from Russell Wilson’s contract, the Broncos returned to the playoffs last year. So the Jets can still build on this roster through the draft despite the financial implications.
Next Destination for Aaron Rodgers?
Joey Bosa landed with the Bills late last night, while we still wait for Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers…
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet1.bsky.social) 2025-03-12T15:55:06.278Z
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From multiple reports and himself, Aaron Rodgers seems intent on playing another year. While retirement is still on the table, two strong suitors have emerged. The negotiations appear to be down to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. Of the two, the Steelers have emerged as the favorites, especially after trading for former All-Pro wide receiver DK Metcalf on Sunday from the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the Achilles injury robbing his rollout abilities, Aaron Rodgers still has a lively arm. Perhaps the move could provide some stability at quarterback, they have searched for since Ben Roethlisberger’s heyday. However, the team is still in communication with Russell Wilson about a potential reunion as well.
Main Photo: [Vincent Carchietta] – USA Today Sports
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