The New York Jets have faced a nightmare at quarterback this season following Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury in Week 1. Their hopes for a competitive year were dashed, and after a 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins officially eliminated them from playoff contention, any chance of Rodgers returning this season seemed to vanish.
With Rodgers approaching the twilight of his career, speculation grew about how much longer he planned to stay with the Jets, especially after losing a year to injury.
Rodgers provided some clarity on Tuesday, stating he doesn’t believe 2024 will be his final NFL season, as reported by The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt. This announcement is crucial for the Jets, particularly after Zach Wilson’s struggles to fill Rodgers’ void this season.
Although Rodgers has two years left on his restructured contract following the trade from the Green Bay Packers, doubts lingered about whether he would play through its entirety given his age and previous hints about retirement.
Earlier this year, the 40-year-old quarterback admitted he had seriously considered retiring before the 2023 season, only to change his mind after learning the Packers intended to trade him.
Now, after being sidelined for the entire season due to his injury, Rodgers seems determined to play two more seasons and conclude his career in New York.
The Jets are in desperate need of his leadership after another disappointing, playoff-less campaign that started with high expectations. The silver lining for New York is a likely top-10 draft pick, which they can use to bolster their offense and prepare for Rodgers’ return.
