Jets part ways with Aaron Rodgers, extending their best wishes for his future

Jets Officially Part Ways with Aaron Rodgers After Two Seasons

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Aaron Rodgers era with the New York Jets has officially come to an end.

Nearly two years after introducing him with much fanfare, the Jets announced Rodgers’ departure on Thursday, releasing a statement of gratitude from team officials. While the organization did not provide a specific reason for the decision, head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey confirmed that they informed Rodgers last week of their intent to move in a different direction at quarterback.

“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and allow both sides time to plan for the future,” the statement read. “We appreciate the leadership, passion, and dedication Aaron brought to our team and wish him success moving forward.” Rodgers did not issue a statement in response.

The 41-year-old quarterback traveled from California to New Jersey last week for a face-to-face meeting with Glenn and Mougey, both of whom were appointed to their roles in late January. Glenn had previously been noncommittal about Rodgers’ status, signaling that a split was likely.

Owner Woody Johnson also expressed his appreciation for Rodgers, saying, “His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement, and I will always be grateful that he chose to continue his Hall of Fame career with us. He embraced our fans, immersed himself in the city, and truly embodied what it meant to be a New York Jet.”

Rodgers’ tenure in New York was underwhelming, producing only six wins in 18 starts. The Jets struggled to a 5-12 record in 2024, leading to the in-season firings of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas—both of whom played key roles in acquiring Rodgers.

The Jets are expected to release Rodgers with a post-June 1 designation to spread his $49 million cap hit over two seasons. Until then, he remains under contract but will be free to negotiate with other teams immediately.

Rodgers has yet to decide whether he will continue his career, having stated at the end of the season that he needed time to weigh his options.

His departure leaves a major void at quarterback, with veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Jordan Travis currently under contract. The Jets are expected to pursue another veteran through trade or free agency, with Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields among the potential targets.

Rodgers’ time with the Jets will likely be remembered as one of the most disappointing acquisitions in franchise history. After arriving with Super Bowl aspirations, he tore his Achilles just four snaps into his debut season, derailing the team’s hopes. He returned in 2024 but delivered inconsistent performances, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key passing metrics.

Despite his struggles on the field, Rodgers endeared himself to teammates by taking a voluntary $35 million pay cut in 2023 to provide salary cap relief. However, his tenure was not without controversy—most notably, he skipped a mandatory minicamp in June 2024 for an unapproved vacation in Egypt, resulting in a $100,000 fine from the team.

As Rodgers weighs his next move, the Jets will look to rebuild at quarterback, officially turning the page on a short-lived and turbulent chapter in franchise history.