Rodgers' Last Stand: A Farewell to New York

Aaron Rodgers 

 Former Packers and Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, reportedly made an unsuccessful pitch to remain with the Jets. According to the New York Post, Rodgers pleaded with the Jets to keep him for one or two more years. After deciding to part ways, Rodgers reportedly accepted it and "slipped into the darkness for a few days." 

Conflict in New York?

Rodgers' actions during the meeting aren't surprising, as he has said several times that he enjoyed his time with the Jets and wanted to continue his career there. It's also not a big surprise that the Jet's new management decided to go in a different direction. During their introductory press conference, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey were non-committal about Rodgers' future with the team. Glenn made it clear that questions about Rodgers wouldn't dominate the press conference, showcasing his team-first coaching philosophy. 

Rodges isn't qualified? 

The Jets' decision to move from Rodgers may have something to do with his age (41) and the fact that he didn't have the best season in 2024. However, Philosophical differences likely played a more significant role in their decision. At the end of the Jets' disappointing 2024 season, Rodgers said that 20 years in the NFL had altered his perspective on success. He mentioned that football is bigger than wins and losses and that the friendships developed inside the building throughout a season are the things that truly endure. While that may be true, it's probably not the attitude that a first-time head coach and GM want the face of their Franchise to have. They needed to win and are more than likely looking for a quarterback who shares that same passion as they do.  

Rodgers Attitude 

It was clear that the Jets' new management wasn't impressed by the attention that Rodgers received. New York Post reportedly told Rodgers to stop doing these weekly appearances on the Pat McAfee show if he was going to stay with the team. While Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, some of the things that come with being on the team simply weren't worth it for the Jet's new management. 

2023: Rodgers with the Packers

Let's backtrack to 2023, the last year Aaron Rodgers was with the Packers before moving to New York, back in April, both Rodgers and the Packers complained about communication shortcomings during the offseason. Neither side felt like they were being heard enough by the other. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in March the team was unable to reach Rodgers despite multiple attempts. Rodgers responded: "People that know me- I'm fortunate to live in a beautiful house." he said, mentioning that the only downside is his very limited cell service. "If you want to get a hold of me, I have to see your face, you've got to FaceTime me," Rodgers stated. According to Rodgers, that is the only way he'll communicate. "My point was that if there was a change that wanted to be made, why wasn't that told to me earlier in the offseason?" Rodgers couldn't say whether the Jeys were the only interested team in the NFL, but as reported, New York was the only team that wanted to trade for him.