Aaron Rodgers Reveals Jets Dumped Him in Abrupt 20-Minute Meeting

Aaron Rodgers has finally opened up about what really happened between him and the New York Jets. His time with the team ended not with a public announcement or a big argument but with a short, awkward meeting that lasted less than 20 minutes. This conversation, which took place in New Jersey at the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, marked the end of Rodgers’ run with the team after just two seasons.

A few months ago, Rodgers flew from California to New Jersey at his own expense. His goal was simple: to have a clear discussion with the new Jets leadership about whether they saw him as part of the team moving forward. There was no media present, no cameras—just a direct, face-to-face talk. He expected a long meeting. Instead, he got something very different.

Rodgers said the meeting started off oddly. He sat down with new head coach Aaron Glenn, who soon left the room. Rodgers found this strange. Glenn returned a few minutes later with general manager Darren Mougey. At that point, Rodgers thought they would finally get into a serious conversation. But just 20 seconds in, Glenn leaned forward in his seat and asked, “You sure you want to play football?”

Rodgers replied, “Yeah, I’m interested.”

Then Glenn responded, “We’re going in a different direction at quarterback.”

That was the moment Rodgers realized the team had already made up its mind. He wasn’t part of their plans. Rodgers wasn’t surprised by the decision itself. He was surprised by how quickly it was delivered. In his words, “I was kind of shocked. Not shocked because I didn’t think it was a possibility. But shocked because I just flew across the country, and you could’ve told me this over the phone.”

The conversation then shifted to how the Jets wanted to handle the announcement of his release. According to Rodgers, Glenn asked, “We just want to know how you want to be released—the messaging.”

Rodgers replied, “I don’t give a s–t about the messaging.”

Rodgers then asked, “Why?”

Glenn answered, “I don’t want to be in front of the room saying something and have guys looking back to you.”

Rodgers said he responded, “What does that even mean? Are you assuming I would be in the back of the room at a team meeting undermining what you’re saying?”

Then he added, “You don’t know me.”

Glenn replied, “You don’t know me.”

Rodgers said, “Exactly. Which is why I flew across the country to have a face-to-face meeting with you to talk about my experience with the Jets and to hear your vision for the team.”

According to Rodgers, what was supposed to be a long, productive meeting turned into a 15-minute dismissal. There was no real conversation, no exchange of ideas. He felt disrespected. He didn’t beg to stay, and he didn’t ask for special treatment. As he later said, “There was no me pleading, ‘please have me on the team.’ I don’t want to be a part of that. It was already a debacle in some cases.”

Despite that, Rodgers did say he had a good talk with GM Darren Mougey later and spoke positively about Christopher Johnson, the brother of team owner Woody Johnson.

Looking back, the relationship between Rodgers and the Jets never fully worked. In 2023, the Jets traded for him and made several moves to keep him comfortable. They hired Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, overpaid Allen Lazard, and added players like Randall Cobb, Dalvin Cook, Billy Turner, and Tim Boyle—many of them Rodgers’ friends or former teammates. Rodgers even gave back part of his salary to help the team. But none of those moves paid off.

His debut season ended after just four snaps due to an Achilles injury. In 2024, he returned and threw 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Still, the Jets finished with a 5-12 record. Even though they brought in Davante Adams, the team lost eight of their first eleven games and ended the year 3-8 under Rodgers’ lead. The expectations were never met.

Now, the Jets have moved on. Aaron Glenn, who has been the head coach for just 85 days, is setting a new tone. The team released several veterans, including Rodgers. They signed Tyrod Taylor as a backup quarterback and made Justin Fields their starter. Only four players over the age of 30 remain on the roster—three of them on special teams. The Jets clearly want a younger, quieter locker room. Rodgers no longer fits into that plan.

During the interview, Rodgers also addressed rumors about his NFL future. He didn’t confirm anything but said he is “open to anything and attached to nothing.” He mentioned that retirement is still a possibility, and right now, he’s focusing on personal matters. When asked about his price to play in 2025, he said, “I’ll play for 10 million. I don’t care. I never once said I needed a multi-year deal.”

This means the money isn’t the issue. What matters more to him now is his life off the field.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have shown interest, but Rodgers hasn’t made a decision. He hasn’t committed to playing again, and he hasn’t ruled out walking away. The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and teams are finalizing their plans. The Jets are done waiting. The Giants signed other veterans. The Vikings are focused on J.J. McCarthy, their second-year quarterback. As for Rodgers, the door is still open—but only he knows what comes next.

What we do know is that a 20-minute meeting in New Jersey ended a two-year partnership and left Rodgers with a bitter taste. He didn’t ask to be coddled—just respected. Instead, he was dismissed quickly and told to think about how the team should word the breakup.