Aaron Rodgers made headlines on Tuesday when he revealed that he doesn’t know whether he will still be playing in 2025. The future Hall of Fame quarterback also said that if he plays next year, he would prefer to do so with the New York Jets, who are in the midst of a season that has been nothing short of a disaster.
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson spoke publicly about his teammate’s uncertain future shortly after Rodgers made those comments during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” Wilson said he expects Rodgers to return for the 2025 season, but acknowledged he doesn’t know what Rodgers will do.
“I know that whatever decision he makes, I will support him,” Wilson said on The Zach Gelb Show. “And all the guys feel the same way. We’ll support him. Playing as much as he does and accomplishing the things he has is not an easy task, man.
“We all feel honored to play with him these last two years. Anyway, it’s been a great career for him and he knows how I feel. I would love to have him back. But at the end of the day, he’s gotta do what better for him.”
Wilson wants Rodgers to return, but as the veteran quarterback alluded Tuesday, that decision won’t be entirely his. That decision will be determined, at least partially, by whoever the Jets hire as their next general manager and head coach.
Rodgers, 40, also needs to determine if he wants to continue playing. He said he’s been talking year after year for a while about his future in the NFL, which is common for players who have played roughly as long as Rodgers. How Rodgers feels physically will influence his decision.
As far as this year goes, Rodgers is not playing at his typical MVP level. But it hasn’t been horrible either. Through 11 games, the four-time league MVP is completing 63.4 percent of his passes with 17 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. What makes those numbers more impressive is the fact that he has spent most of the year playing through nagging injuries after missing nearly all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Given how this year has gone, many assume that Rodgers will return in 2025, as he will feel driven to end his career on a more positive note. And while that may end up being the case, Rodgers is also apparently open to this year being his last, regardless of how the rest of the season goes.
“I think at this point I’m open to everything and not attached to anything.” Rodgers said Tuesday. “Many things can change.”
While everyone in New York seems focused on the future, the 2024 Jets still have six games left on their schedule. And while 3-8 is essentially a dead end, the Jets have not officially been eliminated from postseason contention. The Jets haven’t done anything to indicate they’ll change things, but if there’s one constant in the NFL (besides the Chiefs being good), it’s that things often change in an instant and without much notice.
Wilson, who has yet to enjoy a winning season during his three seasons with the Jets, said the team’s recent challenges should benefit him and his teammates this season and on future Jets teams that may or may not include Rodgers.
“I feel like this year and the way it’s gone, it can definitely be a tool to help us get to the top in the future,” Wilson said. “For me personally, I know I’ve learned a lot from this year. This happened for a reason, and truly reflecting on it and paying attention to why it happened could be the reason you get here in a few years and the year coming.
“I think because of the way this year went, and the things we’ve learned and the way we thought about it and how maybe it hasn’t been worth it, it’s going to be the reason we’re better these next six weeks. and the reason why we will be better in the future.
