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Rich Cimini, ESPN writer
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is undecided about whether he wants to continue his legendary career in 2025. If he does, he wants it to be with the New York Jets.
The four-time MVP, who appeared Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” addressed his future amid reports over the weekend that he wants out of New York and could be benched or even released. at the end of the season.
“I don’t even know if I want to play yet, but New York would be my first choice,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance, commenting on the upcoming season.
Rodgers, who turns 41 next Monday, said he will base his decision on how his body feels and whether the Jets want him back.
“You want to be in a place where you feel like you can win and you’re valued,” said Rodgers, mired in one of the worst statistical seasons of his career.
The choice may not be yours.
The Jets (3-8), who fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, will have a new regime in 2025. The new leaders may choose to cut ties with Rodgers, who is signed for 2025 but has no guaranteed money . your contract. They could hand the position to current backup Tyrod Taylor and a highly drafted rookie.
Rodgers used his place in the program to deny several reports, including a report from The Athletic that he wants to play in 2025, but not for the Jets.
“That’s 100% false,” he said, adding that he’s “not jumping ship.”
But he caused a sensation by expressing uncertainty about his desire to continue playing. Asked two weeks ago if he wanted to play in 2025, Rodgers said, “Yes, I think so,” hardly a convincing yes. A few days later, the Jets’ disappointing season unraveled further with a crushing last-minute loss to the Indianapolis Colts and the firing of Douglas.
Rodgers considered retiring after the 2022 season and ultimately decided, during his infamous retirement into obscurity, that he wanted to continue. The Green Bay Packers traded him to the Jets in April 2023. His goal, he said, was to give the Jets “two good seasons.” His 2023 season lasted just four plays before he ruptured his left Achilles tendon, and he joked that this season hasn’t been that good either.
“When you’re 40, you’re turning 41, you’re obviously at the end of your career,” he said. “…Obviously, if it’s New York, they have to want me to be here. And then the new general manager, the new staff has to want me to be with the Jets. And then, on a body level, I have to see how I’m doing.” feeling and if I want to sign up to get back into the routine and all that, but it feels good, I’m already healthy.
“It’s not as fun when you’re dealing with rehab all the time. So if I can stay healthy the rest of the year and play the way I want, and everyone feels good about bringing me back, then there’s a chance.” And if not, then there are all the other options. I think at this point I’m open to everything and not attached to anything.
Rodgers battled hamstring, knee and ankle injuries early in the season, which no doubt contributed to his pedestrian numbers: 17 touchdown passes, seven interceptions. There were reports that he could be benched or placed on injured reserve or even released at the end of the season.
On Monday, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said there has been no internal discussion about closing the future Hall of Famer. He said Rodgers will “absolutely” start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and that “a healthy Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers we all love.”
Rodgers made it clear that he wants to keep playing even though the Jets have virtually no chance of making the playoffs.
“I won’t voluntarily go on the disabled list without being injured,” he said.
“…If I can stay healthy the rest of the year and play the way I want, and everyone feels good about bringing me back, then there’s a decision there. And if not, then there are all the other options. I think at this point I’m open to everything and not attached to anything, so it’s a good place to be.”
Aaron Rodgers
He confirmed that he has not undergone any medical imaging tests for his injuries, insisting that he did not need them because he trusted his own instincts and the evaluations of the team’s medical staff.
The Rodgers experiment has been a huge disappointment for the Jets, who are 10-18 since the trade (including the 16 games he missed). He acknowledged that the two seasons have been “frustrating and difficult,” but not a total loss.
“These have been two of the most important years of my life and two of the best years of my life,” he said.
Rodgers said he felt bad that Douglas was fired last week. It happened after a week off from practice. Rodgers said he noticed owner Woody Johnson arriving by helicopter during practice, as he usually does. This time he had a strange feeling.
“I knew something might be going on here and I thought, ‘Damn, I hope it’s not Joe,'” said Rodgers, who learned during a flight to California that Douglas had been fired.
