Aaron Rodgers remains committed to playing for the New York Jets beyond this season, despite the team’s struggles and his own challenging performance. The 41-year-old quarterback, who will celebrate his birthday on December 2, has previously expressed his intention to continue playing for several more years, and he reaffirmed that stance on Wednesday.
When asked if the Jets’ disappointing 3-7 start had changed his mind about playing next season, Rodgers responded, “Not really. Not for the negative, no. Not really.”
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, was then asked directly whether he still intends to play in 2024, to which he replied, “I think so, yeah,” while nodding in agreement.
Rodgers’ future has come under scrutiny after a series of poor performances, marking the worst start of his 20-year career. Despite having one year left on his contract, which includes $2.5 million in non-guaranteed base salary and $21 million in bonuses, Rodgers’ future with the Jets is tied to a potential $23.5 million cap hit next season. If the Jets cut him before June 1, 2024, they would incur a hefty $49 million dead money charge, which drops to $14 million after June 1.
The quarterback’s return from a torn left Achilles tendon, which kept him sidelined for most of last season, has been less than smooth. Though Rodgers showed flashes of his former self with solid performances against New England in Week 3 and Houston in Week 9, his play has been inconsistent, especially following a dismal 31-6 loss to Arizona in Week 10. In that game, Rodgers completed just 22 of 35 passes for 151 yards, with only one completion of over 10 yards.
Rodgers has also been hindered by ankle, knee, and hamstring injuries, impacting his mobility and affecting his play. “I’m not playing as well as I would like to play, for sure,” Rodgers acknowledged. “The beauty in this game is it’s a team game. The frustrating part is that if you’re a great competitor, you hold yourself to a standard and it’s not unrealistic. And I haven’t reached that standard this year.”
The Jets were expected to contend for a Super Bowl with Rodgers leading the offense, but after his injury in the season opener, those aspirations were dashed. The team’s troubles continued, culminating in the firing of head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was appointed as the interim head coach, but the Jets have struggled under his leadership, posting a 1-4 record.
Rodgers expressed his support for Ulbrich, saying, “What Brick’s done, the way that we practice, I feel like there has been great changes. I feel like he’s done some really good things. I think Brick is an NFL head coach, whether it’s here moving forward or down the line. I mean, he is a leader of men and I’ll stand by him.”
Rodgers also spoke about the difficult decision to fire Saleh, noting that it was tough for everyone, as they all respected the former head coach. He praised Ulbrich for his ability to keep the team motivated and cohesive during challenging times. “Brick’s done a really good job of trying to find ways to motivate the guys to keep them together,” Rodgers said.
Despite the Jets’ struggles, Rodgers remains hopeful. “Hope,” he said, “is the word for Jets fans. Anything can happen over the final seven games.” However, he acknowledged that his performance has not lived up to expectations. “Health obviously has been a big challenge for me,” he reflected. “It’s been frustrating with the football part, but overall, it’s been a really beautiful couple of years for me in totality.”
As the Jets prepare for the remainder of the season, Rodgers’ future remains uncertain, but his commitment to the team and desire to continue playing are clear.
