The New York Jets have a long to-do list early on in the 2025 NFL offseason.
But they team has started to cross things off that.
Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, respectively, have been named head coach and general manager of the Jets.
With those pieces in place, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be the main man in the crosshairs. Should the 41-year-old stay or go?
On both sides of the ledger, there is plenty to consider.
In terms of keeping him, here are three reasons why the Jets could consider sticking with the QB in 2025:
Slowly improved
Imagn
Even the biggest Rodgers haters, if they’re realists, have to admit it: In the second half of the 2024 NFL season, Rodgers simply got better.
In that time frame, Rodgers finally recorded his first 300-plus yard outing with the team. In his first eight games of the year, Rodgers didn’t have one game with three or more touchdown passes. Meanwhile, his final nine saw Rodgers have three of those.
Not to mention, Rodgers showed he cared too. With the way the QB carries himself, that’s always up for debate. However, the injuries Rodgers reportedly played through? You can’t say he does not care.
Mentor
Getty
Not that it’s surprising, but Rodgers admitted there’s potential for the Jets to want to tab who the “QB of the future” will be during the upcoming offseason and he mentioned he has not problem with that.
In fact, Rodgers said he would have no issue with being a “mentor” to a rookie if he stays in New York.
“Yeah, of course,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers’ tenure with the Jets won’t factor in much with his Hall of Fame resume… but he’s certainly got that type of CV. Having a first-year pro alongside such a player like Rodgers could be a huge long-term benefit to the Jets. Previously, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love praised Rodgers in this role prior to Rodgers heading to New York.
A pay cut?
USAT
If the Jets ultimately would want to cut Rodgers, it will be a costly move. His current contract has him giving the Jets a $49 million dead cap hit. That will be tough to swallow.
While keeping him will be a smaller, but still large, $23.5 million salary cap charge, Rodgers made another positive comment for the team in that same interview referenced above. Rodgers has stated he’s not opposed to taking a pay cut to help the Jets if he does stick around.
“I think I’ve already proven I’m willing to take a pay cut,” Rodgers said. “I’ve made a lot of money.”
When originally heading to New York, Rodgers did take a separate pay cut which is what he was referencing.
If Rodgers would again, that could be a win-win.
