Aaron Rodgers is aware that his turbulent run with the New York Jets could be coming to a close.
But ahead of the Week 18 finale against the Miami Dolphins, the quarterback said Wednesday that no matter what his future holds, he will view his time with the organization fondly.
‘Gratitude, honestly,’ the four-time NFL MVP said when asked how he viewed this portion of his 20-year career. ‘It’s been the best two years of my life. And that’s a perspective adjustment that happened at some point during the rehab process last year. Just the excitement of falling back in love with the game, getting to know these guys in here, getting to know the great men and women who work here, it’s been a lot of fun.
‘Obviously, on the field has been short of expectations, no doubt. But this game is more than just that.’
After his highly anticipated debut season with the Jets in 2023 was cut short by a torn Achilles suffered four snaps into the opener, Rodgers has experienced plenty of disappointment in his follow-up campaign. The Jets fired coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start, and despite the organization trading for Rodgers’ close friend Davante Adams, New York continued its slide and extended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons.
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With the team cleaning house with the firing of general manager Joe Douglas in November, Rodgers has acknowledged that his future is very much in flux. Though he earlier stated he prefers to remain with the franchise, he has acknowledged the possibility that the team will want to move on from the 41-year-old, who does not have any guaranteed money on his contract for 2025. Multiple reports indicated that the Jets are likely to part ways with Rodgers at some point this offseason.
Rodgers also reiterated he was unsure whether he would return to play at all next season or choose to retire. After making a joke about how he wouldn’t go on another darkness retreat, Rodgers said he needed a respite from the physical toll that the last two seasons have taken on him.
‘I need a break, mentally,’ said Rodgers, who added he expected to have clarity on his future before free agency begins in March. ‘I don’t want to make a decision until I’ve been able to rest physically and mentally. … I just need a break mentally to refresh and put my feet in the sand and see where I’m at.’
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said the possibility of coaching Rodgers’ final NFL game provided some solid motivation for Sunday.
‘To even be a small part of his story, it’s an honor,’ Ulbrich said. ‘If it happens to be his last game, let’s take him out on the right note.’
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