New York Jets Confirm Aaron Rodgers Won’t Return for the 2025 Season

The Jets have informed Aaron Rodgers that they will be moving in a different direction at quarterback. pic.twitter.com/xRfTsYNuNm

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2025

Following the hiring of Aaron Glenn as the new head coach, there was much speculation about whether Rodgers would get a chance to come back. Even after Glenn gave a nonchalant answer when asked about the team’s former quarterback, stating, “…As we continue to look at the roster, we’ll make decisions accordingly, and that’s with a number of people on the team,” doubts about what would happen between both parties were still hanging over Florham Park.

We can now confirm those decisions Glenn and his team had to make involved a future without Rodgers on the roster.

🚨 BREAKING: The #NYJets are moving on from Aaron Rodgers at QB! 🏈💥

What’s next for Rodgers? 🤔 #NFL #JetUp #AaronRodgers pic.twitter.com/SXoBeoGG3W

— LockerRoom RAW (@LockerRoom_RAW) February 13, 2025

While betting odds have started to favor the Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Minnesota Vikings as potential landing spots for the 41-year-old QB, word from Steelers Nation suggests that Aaron might not be welcomed with open arms.

Steelers S DeShon Elliot had a WILD quote on Aaron Rodgers potentially being QB1 in Pittsburgh 😅😳 pic.twitter.com/3310T6gFdY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2025

I guess the Steelers are not fans of Ayahuasca.

Is This the Best Call for New York?

To dissect New York’s decision to get rid of Rodgers and call it either a good or bad move, first, we need to look at some essential facts.

Even after what could easily be taken as a horrible season for the team in general, Aaron Rodgers’ stats were the best by any Jets QB in recent times. And if you trot back far enough, you’ll see that the list of players who held the QB1 position for NY is ample, to say the least.

The man even passed for his 500th career regular-season TD while playing for the Jets. During short periods in the season, he even made New York’s offense look functional and even exciting.

Whether you wanted the Jets to move on from Aaron Rodgers or not.

This is a sad day for Jets fans. Knowing now that the Aaron Rodgers & Jets experiment is officially a FAILURE.

The hype & positive vibes around this team with the addition of Aaron Rodgers 2 years ago was…

— 𝙅𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙈𝙀𝘿𝙄𝘼🛫 (@NYJets_Media) February 13, 2025

As the season ended and echoes of this being the end for Rodgers’ career started looming, all signs pointed towards the team still keeping the idea of sticking with the veteran alive and kicking.

Now, as the team looks to start with a fresh slate, the move can be considered both good and bad. Right now, though, leaning more towards bad.

Even though it didn’t work out, I know that Aaron Rodgers tried

He played his best. He played through injury. He tried to change our mentality, & bring success & winning to the #Jets

It didn’t work, but thank you @AaronRodgers12 for the last 2 years 🙏🏻

And for trying

It’s up… pic.twitter.com/fa99EREmZn

— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) February 13, 2025

To think Rodgers is washed could become the worst narrative to stick with. We’re talking about a man who, at 41, could still put up some very solid numbers in at least two or three more seasons worth of NFL games.

But also, if the Jets wanted to stay entirely true to themselves and this new horizon they are willing to chase with Glenn, getting rid of Rodgers, who was, directly or indirectly, in the middle of most of the team’s controversies last season was necessary.

Who’ll Take Over NY’s QB1 Spot?

Now that Rodgers is officially gone, there’s one last question: who will be New York’s QB1 for the 2025 season?

Also, as a follow-up, does the team choose a prospect to build around for the future or snag another league veteran to take over and try to win now?

From the get-go, be it through the draft or via free agency, names have started to pop up, like Justin Fields, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, or giving second-year passer Jordan Travis a chance.

So what could work best?

Justin Fields, Jordan Travis, or Cam Ward will be the #Jets next starting QB.

Justin Fields has the best odds to be the next starter now that Rodgers has been informed the team is moving on.

Although the team wants to draft a QB, per sources. pic.twitter.com/iXN317kgVx

— JK (@SAUCEGUARDNER) February 9, 2025

If they decide to go down the free agency road, my mind is set and sold on giving Justin Fields a chance. At 25 years old, Fields could perfectly see this as a career-revival opportunity after flunking with the Chicago Bears and not getting enough chances with the Steelers.

He’s fast, has a strong arm, could work well with the likes of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and, if properly coached, has a whole lot left to offer before officially calling him a bust.

Of #Jets realistic FA QB options, Justin Fields may be most intriguing:

-Still only 25
-Has underperformed but flashed elite traits
-Rick Spielman is a big fan
-Fits dual threat style AG prefers
-Existing relationship with Garrett Wilson
-Possible late bloomer ala Darnold/Geno pic.twitter.com/LDZbCAjUMh

— Play Like A Jet (@Playlikeajet1) February 12, 2025

If the new QB is selected in the draft, the Jets must devise an almost flawless deal to entice any of the three teams with the top three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft into trading away their pick.

If that’s the case, I’m all for Cam Ward, the most pro-ready QB in the class in my opinion.

Lastly, given that the Jets are known for throwing curveballs at NFL picks and predictions fans, giving Travis a chance could be worth considering.

I still think Jordan Travis can be a good QB…

Keep stacking the roster… let him compete with Tyrod and if Travis isn’t the guy .. draft a QB in the 1st next year pic.twitter.com/zlUBb8bbtF

— J. Gray (@JGrayJets) February 10, 2025

Everybody who remembers Travis from his days at Florida State speaks highly of his potential. After a year out due to an injury, why not give him a chance to fight for the starting spot?

Worst people have led the team’s offense, so what’s there to lose?