The New York Jets may be angling for their seventh starting quarterback in five seasons if recent rumors come to pass.
Aaron Rodgers has had something of a nightmare stay in New Jersey since his 2023 trade landed him in a Jets uniform. After playing just four snaps in 2023 and 11 games in 2024, his tenure as leader of Gang Green may soon come to an end.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Jets passer faces an "uphill battle" to return as starting quarterback come 2025, signaling a relatively quick divorce for the two sides.
From @NFLGameDay: The play of #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers must improve significantly for him to return in 2025, plus the #Dolphins nearly traded Calais Campbell to the #Ravens... before coach Mike McDaniel stepped in. pic.twitter.com/ee2v9y4Q0W
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 24, 2024
As far as whose decision it is, Rapoport reports that the decision is up to Jets owner Woody Johnson; should Rodgers continue to underperform down the stretch, then Johnson will consider pulling the plug on the experiment.
Johnson's frustration with the trade is said to be "palpable," according to Rapoport.
Rodgers, who turns 41 in December, isn't just holding off Father Time, but has also been battling injuries this season. Visibly hobbled throughout the year while dealing with knee, hamstring and ankle injuries, Rodgers has reportedly refused to undergo medical testing and scans to determine the extent of the damage.
The injuries may explain some of Rodgers' inefficiencies this season. He's still thrown 17 touchdowns to seven interceptions, but the eye test hasn't provided a passing grade for Rodgers and the Jets offense at large.
The Jets are 3-8 in 2024 and a playoff longshot, despite a sluggish AFC. New York holds a relatively easy schedule the remainder of the season, but haven't been able to move past inconsistencies on both sides of the ball since Week 1. That's resulted in the firing of head coach Robert Saleh. General manager Joe Douglas was next to get his walking papers as New York looks to reboot yet again.
New York is on its bye in Week 12, and returns to action in Week 13 vs. the Seahawks at home. That could be the start of the final countdown for Rodgers in green and white.
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