The New York Jets officially ended their run with Aaron Rodgers earlier this offseason, and as things stand now, that decision looks more and more like the right call. After two years of never delivering what was promised, the team chose to stop waiting for Rodgers and start building something new.
Rodgers arrived in New York in 2023 after a trade from the Green Bay Packers. The deal came with high hopes, but the results fell far short. In his very first game with the Jets, he tore his Achilles just four plays into the season. That injury ended his 2023 campaign before it truly started. The Jets finished that year with a 7–10 record, missing the playoffs again.
In 2024, Rodgers returned to the field. He played the full season but struggled. The team ended with a 5–12 record, and Rodgers posted the worst numbers of his career. He threw for 3,897 yards, with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His passer rating was 90.5, which ranked below his usual standards.
While the stats weren’t terrible, they didn’t lead to wins. At the same time, Rodgers often made headlines for his comments during regular appearances on The Pat McAfee Show. Some of those off-field moments became distractions for the team.
As a result, the Jets held internal discussions. They met with Rodgers and looked at everything—his health, performance, and future. Then, they made a clear choice by hiring a new head coach, Aaron Glenn, and brought in a new general manager, Darren Mougey. They also traded for quarterback Justin Fields.
Fields comes from the Chicago Bears, where he had mixed results. However, he is still young and mobile, and he brings a fresh style to the Jets’ offense. The team now has a chance to build something new. With the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they can add more talent to support Fields and help turn things around.
Meanwhile, Rodgers remains a free agent. Only a few teams are still interested in him, and the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are not expected to pursue him. The only team that appears to be a serious option now is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Even there, things are not certain. Steelers owner Art Rooney II has shown frustration with Rodgers’ slow decision-making. The team is not planning to wait much longer. At the same time, the Steelers are exploring other options. They have scheduled a pre-draft visit with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is considered one of the top prospects in this year’s class.
The Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the draft. There is a chance they could select Sanders or another quarterback. Some believe they may still sign Rodgers and draft a young QB to develop behind him. Either way, Pittsburgh is preparing for both outcomes.
Back in New York, Rodgers’ former teammate Allen Lazard is also in a tough spot. Lazard signed a deal with the Jets through 2026, but none of his remaining salary is guaranteed. His current contract includes a base salary of $11 million. The Jets want him to take a pay cut, possibly down to around $2.75 million—the same amount Josh Reynolds recently received on a one-year deal.
Lazard has not performed well with the Jets. In 2023, he had only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown. In 2024, with Rodgers back, his numbers improved slightly. He recorded 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns. Even so, his future with the team is uncertain. He may be waiting to see if Rodgers signs with a team like Pittsburgh before deciding on a pay cut or release.
Adding to the situation, the Jets still carry a $49 million salary cap hit from Rodgers’ contract, even after moving on. The team also made a trade for Davante Adams before the 2024 deadline, hoping to boost the offense. Adams and Rodgers had strong chemistry in Green Bay, but the reunion didn’t change the team’s results. Now, Adams is also expected to play elsewhere in 2025.
As of now, Rodgers is still undecided. If he does return, he could join the Steelers and face the Jets next season—in a game likely to draw national attention. Nonetheless, the Jets are sure they are not looking back since they are focused on building a younger team, free from distractions.
Looking at the full picture, the Jets’ made the right decision. They already gave Rodgers a chance, but the results were poor—one injury-shortened season, one losing season, and no playoff appearances. Now, they have a new coach, a new general manager, and a young quarterback with upside.
NY Jets Made the Right Call at the Right Time Moving On from Aaron Rodgers
The New York Jets officially ended their run with Aaron Rodgers earlier this offseason, and as things stand now, that decision looks more and more like the right call. After two years of never delivering what was promised, the team chose to stop waiting for Rodgers and start building something new.
Rodgers arrived in New York in 2023 after a trade from the Green Bay Packers. The deal came with high hopes, but the results fell far short. In his very first game with the Jets, he tore his Achilles just four plays into the season. That injury ended his 2023 campaign before it truly started. The Jets finished that year with a 7–10 record, missing the playoffs again.
In 2024, Rodgers returned to the field. He played the full season but struggled. The team ended with a 5–12 record, and Rodgers posted the worst numbers of his career. He threw for 3,897 yards, with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His passer rating was 90.5, which ranked below his usual standards.
While the stats weren’t terrible, they didn’t lead to wins. At the same time, Rodgers often made headlines for his comments during regular appearances on The Pat McAfee Show. Some of those off-field moments became distractions for the team.
As a result, the Jets held internal discussions. They met with Rodgers and looked at everything—his health, performance, and future. Then, they made a clear choice by hiring a new head coach, Aaron Glenn, and brought in a new general manager, Darren Mougey. They also traded for quarterback Justin Fields.
Fields comes from the Chicago Bears, where he had mixed results. However, he is still young and mobile, and he brings a fresh style to the Jets’ offense. The team now has a chance to build something new. With the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they can add more talent to support Fields and help turn things around.
Meanwhile, Rodgers remains a free agent. Only a few teams are still interested in him, and the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are not expected to pursue him. The only team that appears to be a serious option now is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Even there, things are not certain. Steelers owner Art Rooney II has shown frustration with Rodgers’ slow decision-making. The team is not planning to wait much longer. At the same time, the Steelers are exploring other options. They have scheduled a pre-draft visit with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is considered one of the top prospects in this year’s class.
The Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the draft. There is a chance they could select Sanders or another quarterback. Some believe they may still sign Rodgers and draft a young QB to develop behind him. Either way, Pittsburgh is preparing for both outcomes.
Back in New York, Rodgers’ former teammate Allen Lazard is also in a tough spot. Lazard signed a deal with the Jets through 2026, but none of his remaining salary is guaranteed. His current contract includes a base salary of $11 million. The Jets want him to take a pay cut, possibly down to around $2.75 million—the same amount Josh Reynolds recently received on a one-year deal.
Lazard has not performed well with the Jets. In 2023, he had only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown. In 2024, with Rodgers back, his numbers improved slightly. He recorded 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns. Even so, his future with the team is uncertain. He may be waiting to see if Rodgers signs with a team like Pittsburgh before deciding on a pay cut or release.
Adding to the situation, the Jets still carry a $49 million salary cap hit from Rodgers’ contract, even after moving on. The team also made a trade for Davante Adams before the 2024 deadline, hoping to boost the offense. Adams and Rodgers had strong chemistry in Green Bay, but the reunion didn’t change the team’s results. Now, Adams is also expected to play elsewhere in 2025.
As of now, Rodgers is still undecided. If he does return, he could join the Steelers and face the Jets next season—in a game likely to draw national attention. Nonetheless, the Jets are sure they are not looking back since they are focused on building a younger team, free from distractions.
Looking at the full picture, the Jets’ made the right decision. They already gave Rodgers a chance, but the results were poor—one injury-shortened season, one losing season, and no playoff appearances. Now, they have a new coach, a new general manager, and a young quarterback with upside.
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