The Jets met with Aaron Rodgers last week and informed him they will be moving forward without him.
"Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback," said HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey in a statement released by the team. "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. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward."
Returning from a torn Achilles tendon, Rodgers, who turned 41 in December, started 17 games last season. His 3,897 yards and 28 TDs were the third-best single-season totals in franchise history, respectively.
"I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets," said Chairman Woody Johnson in a statement released by the team. "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. 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. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next."
Rodgers came to the Jets from the Packers in a trade that was finalized on April 26, 2023. Paired with a stout defense and complemented by young playmakers on offense, the four-time NFL MVP quickly embraced his new surroundings.
"There's something special about playing in the city, for a team like this with a storied franchise," he said. "Going way, way back to Super Bowl III, to be a part of something special would definitely help you go down in the history of our organization. Already have 18 years in an incredibly iconic organization and it would be fun to be a part of the history of this one, as well."
But Rodgers went down four snaps into his Jets tenure, sustaining the Achilles tendon tear in a Week 1 Monday night contest against the Buffalo Bills. He battled to defy the odds in a gritty comeback attempt that saw him practice in the winter of 2023, but he never played again as the Jets finished 7-10 in his first season.
The Jets will reset with a new QB, a new HC in Glenn, a new GM in Mougey, a new offensive coordinator in Tanner Engstrand and largely a new coaching staff. Veteran Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis, a 2024 fifth-round pick from Florida State who was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in August, and Adrian Martinez, who signed a futures contract in January, are the three other QBs currently on the roster.
