New York, new quarterback.
The Aaron Rodgers-Jets era has come to an end.
It started with a loud thud, and went out on a quiet whimper.
And now it’s official.
The Jets released a statement on Thursday confirming that they won’t be bringing back the four-time league MVP.
Chairman and team owner Woody Johnson thanked Rodgers for the last two years.
“I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets,” Johnson said.
“His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career.
“From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city.
“That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here.
“He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”
Rodgers’ time as a Jet lasted only two seasons and less than 18 total games played.
X/@NYJETSFans were left confused when the team’s official X account wrote this message, thanking Rodgers for ‘everything’[/caption]
It resulted in just five wins.
His time as a member of Gang Green was an unequivocal failure.
A large part of that was the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered just four plays into the 2023 season.
Coming back from such a serious injury on the wrong side of 40 was always going to be an uphill climb.
Sprinkle in his weekly appearances with Pat McAfee on ESPN, a fired head coach midseason, trading and signing ‘his guys’, the Jets have opted out of the Rodgers business and circus that followed.
The Jets official X account posted a farewell that read, “For everything you’ve given us the past two years, thank you 8”
This left fans confused as to what exactly the ‘everything’ was.
Was it the five wins?
The constant distractions?
“What has he given you? 2 losing seasons,” one fan posted on X.
“Couldn’t be less thankful,” another fan chimed on.
However, it wasn’t all negative, as one fan lamented the organization’s decision to not bring Rodgers back.
“The wrong move, hopefully we have a good plan in place,” wrote the fan.
While Rodgers wasn’t terrible this past year, he wasn’t exactly good nor consistent.
He threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, but was ranked 30th among qualifying quarterbacks in completion percentage.
Of his 17 starts, nine have had a negative EPA and Rodgers finished 26th in EPA per attempt for the season and 30th in air yards per attempt.
The Jets will face nearly $50million in dead money when they release him and can either take the full hit this year or designate him as a post-June 1 cut.
If they choose the latter, which is likely, they’d save $9.5m, but then absorb a $35m cap hit in 2026.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell summed up the Rodgers experience in New York with a perfect post on X.
“Two second-round picks, $75 million, the contracts for Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Tim Boyle,” Barnwell said.
“Another third-round pick and $11.6million for Davante Adams. A year-plus with Nathaniel Hackett as OC. Five wins.’
Enough said.