Is this the end?
Going into what could be his final game not only as a New York Jet, but as an NFL quarterback, Aaron Rodgers reflected on his career.
“Just a lot of gratitude for the last 20 years and the many countless lives I’ve encountered and the amazing teammates and coaches I now call friends,” Rodgers said. “The experiences I’ve had, a lot of great memories, and a lot of great people impacted my life, ones that know and ones that might not even know it.
“Not just those 20 years, I had great college coaches at Cal and junior college and high school coaches. This game has given me a lot. I’ve given a lot back to it, and I’m thankful for it.”
Rodgers was asked whether he’s thought about Sunday being his last professional game.
“I won’t be thinking about that come 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 am also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.”
Rodgers also reflected on his experience with the Jets over the past two years.
“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. But just the excitement, falling back in love with the game, getting to know these guys in here, getting to know the great men and women that work here, has been a lot of fun.
“On the field has been short of expectations, but this game is more than just that. This game is about relationships, about the things that really last longer than this, last longer than your health does, and last longer than your body being able to play. I’m really thankful for the men and women I met here in New Jersey, and the experiences I got to have with my teammates and enjoy the city. Obviously, I wish things would have gotten better on the field, but I have nothing but gratitude for this time in my life.”
Asked about if his comments reflect his desire to keep playing or not, Rodgers said not so much.
“I just won’t resign to the reality of the situation. I think there are going to be changes here, and if I’m a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows that I have nothing but gratitude for my time here. I do appreciate it. I really do. It’s been a great experience all around, and again, I’m disappointed about the
performance of both myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity. If I feel good coming back, and they want to make another run at this, that’d be fantastic, but I’m not naive to the situation we’re in.”
Rodgers’s tenure with the Jets started with immense promise. The idea was that, combined with an elite defense, Rodgers could elevate the offense to make New York a legitimate contender. However, things went in the complete opposite direction.
The future Hall of Famer tore his Achilles four plays into the 2023 season. In 2024, Rodgers occasionally show flashes of the player who lit up the NFL in his prime, but he would miss an open receiver or throw a pick soon after.
Add in the various injuries and the constant media attention that comes with having Rodgers on the roster, and it is clear that the Rodgers experiment did not work as intended.
The Jets may bring Rodgers back, but the odds of this are getting slimmer.
Instead, it is likely that the Jets head in a new direction as they begin to rebuild their roster. If that is the choice New York makes, it appears Rodgers is at peace with it.
