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Report: Aaron Rodgers, Jets in Discussion About Future, Decision Could Come This Week

Mike Chiari

The New York Jets could decide on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' future with the organization as soon as this week, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Both new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey reportedly have "great respect" for Rodgers, who turned 41 in December.

Pelissero and Rapoport noted that if the Jets do decide to keep Rodgers, he will almost certainly have to take a pay cut from his $37.5 million base salary, and he will likely need to commit to being part of the Jets' offseason program to learn new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand's offense.

During an appearance Sunday on Postseason NFL Countdown (beginning at the 1:25 mark of the video), ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that many across the league believe the most likely result will see the Jets move on from Rodgers:

However, Schefter added that the situation remains "far from decided." He also noted that Rodgers hasn't yet reached a decision on whether he wants to play in 2025 or retire.

New York acquired the future Hall of Famer from the Green Bay Packers prior to the 2023 season, but Rodgers' first season with the Jets ended as soon as it started.

He suffered a torn Achilles during the Jets' first offensive series of the campaign and missed the remainder of the season.

Rodgers returned in time for the start of the 2024 season and managed to start all 17 games, but the four-time NFL MVP did not perform anywhere near the level fans have grown accustomed to seeing from him.

In addition to posting a career-worst 5-12 record, Rodgers completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The once-mobile quarterback also rushed for only 94 yards, speaking to his age and the fact that he was coming off a devastating injury.

In the midst of the 2024 season, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, leaving Rodgers' fate in the hands of the incoming regime.

Rodgers and the Jets have reportedly already been in discussions about his future, but there isn't yet any indication regarding which direction the Jets may be leaning.

Per Spotrac, the Jets would incur $49 million in dead cap in 2025 if they cut Rodgers, but if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they would spread the dead cap out over two years and actually save $9.5 million against the cap in 2025.

The other issue that would arise from cutting Rodgers is having to find a replacement, and the options aren't exactly plentiful.

Some of the top quarterbacks set to become free agents this offseason include former Jet Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston, Cooper Rush, Mac Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Trey Lance, Marcus Mariota and Drew Lock.

The Jets could also look to the draft, but they own the No. 7 overall pick, so there is a good chance they would miss out on the two surefire first-round quarterbacks in Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.

Another thing to consider is the possibility of star wide receiver Davante Adams wanting out should the Jets cut Rodgers since he specifically wanted to reunite with Rodgers in New York after their success together in Green Bay.

The Jets' struggles in 2024 could be all the new coach and GM need to convince them to start with a clean slate at quarterback, but because of the lack of quality outside options, keeping Rodgers is something that must at least be considered.

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