New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers strongly indicated that his illustrious playing career may conclude on Sunday.
The 2024 season will undoubtedly go down as the most disappointing in Jets history, as well as the most disastrous in Aaron Rodgers’ career. A team with Super Bowl aspirations sits at 4-12 heading into Sunday’s meaningless Week 18 tilt with the Miami Dolphins.
Rodgers flirted with retirement in 2021 and 2022 before deciding to resume his career with the Green Bay Packers. But after a miserable and drama-filled 2024 year in Gotham, it certainly sounds like the four-time MVP is considering hanging up the cleats for good.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Aaron Rodgers admitted that Sunday’s regular season finale could be the final game of his career, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini:
“Yeah, of course (it could be my last NFL game). This game has given me a lot. I’ve given a lot back to it, and I’m thankful for it. I won’t be thinking about that on game day. I’ll just be enjoying this.
I’m trying to stay in the moment, but, of course, it’s been a long career. I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to be a part of, what I’ve been able to accomplish, and I’m also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.
I’m just more resigned to the reality of the situation. I think there’s going to be change here, and if I’m [not] a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows I have nothing but gratitude for my time here.”
Aaron Rodgers acknowledged that Sunday could be his last NFL game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 1, 2025
More via @RichCimini:https://t.co/mKACYlysPX
It has been reported that Jets owner Woody Johnson pushed for Aaron Rodgers to get benched earlier this year. There have also been talks about Rodgers wanting to play elsewhere in 2025, though he hasn’t publicly expressed a desire to leave.
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The Jets’ season began to unravel when they fired head coach Robert Saleh after a Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Six weeks later, general manager Joe Douglas was also shown the door.
If Rodgers decides to keep playing, it’s hard to envision him and the Jets agreeing to a third year of marriage. But with a mediocre stat line in 2024 (3,623 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions) it’s anybody’s guess how much interest he’d garner from other teams via trade or free agency.
If This is It, It’s Been A Special Run For Aaron Rodgers
As miserable as 2024 has been for Rodgers and the Jets, it doesn’t take away what has been a phenomenal career. Not every great quarterback can have a beautiful run with a second team like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, after all.
With four MVPS (the second-most in NFL history), a Super Bowl 45 ring and top-10 placements in career passing yards and touchdowns, Rodgers’ legacy as an all-time great was cemented years ago.
