Interestingly yet loudly, a specific New York Jets fan movement has formed and announced its presence with authority.
The contingency unofficially formed on Feb. 9, 2025—the same day the Philadelphia Eagles knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. Furthermore, the movement’s unofficial figurehead is FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer—for he’s the messenger the football gods appointed.
Today, as we embark on March, the month that kickstarts the National Football League’s new league year, this group is alive and … not well. (Each member’s primary care physician can confirm this sorry mental state.)
Meet the Anti-Rodgers Radicals
The group in question is known as the “Anti-Rodgers Radicals.”
From what I can gather, their slogan is built around optimism for Aaron Glenn‘s chances to become the next great NFL head coach. Better yet, their bible is comprised of any piece of content that does not mention the future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, who the Jets kicked to the curb (Feb. 9 representing the communicative date).
Surely, you’ve encountered at least one of these fanatics in the last three weeks. If and when discussing your beloved Jets, emotions seemingly rise when the mere mention of one Aaron Rodgers occurs.
One who belongs to the aforementioned group may retort with a question such as, “Can we please stop talking about Aaron Rodgers?” The individual may even attach time to the response, quite possibly saying, “Rodgers is no longer a Jet; sheesh, it’s been two weeks already.”
Or, perhaps my personal favorite is the extremely straightforward yet utterly surface-level, “Jeez, do you have anything else to talk about?”
Suffice it to say, they’d rather not hear about, read, see, or discuss Mr. Rodgers. Though shadowy in nature when bandying about other topics, this man—Green Bay’s No. 12 and New York’s No. 8—sort of triggers the group’s members.
Unfortunately for them, Aaron Rodgers is still a pertinent New York Jets news topic. Also, sadly, they arrive at the party with far less fanfare than that of a member belonging to Peter Griffin’s “Church of the Fonz” or Al Bundy’s “No Ma’am.”
But hey, let’s attack just one story at a time. There are plenty of days ahead to brainstorm fanatical ideas to build brand recognition for the “Anti-Rodgers Radicals” (or ARR, as it’s commonly referred to within inner circles).
Friendly advice
Before we continue, understand just how important it is to maintain your cool when discussing something with one of the flock. Always look out for the signs and try to remain on your toes.
Speak firmly yet without an authoritative tone. Use an inside-the-house voice while oozing the potential for a long-lasting friendship, so they know a threat has not entered their digital world.
Most importantly, realize that responding to these emotional individuals is sort of like denying your pleading child a request to buy Starburst or Sour Patch Kids while in the checkout line at the local grocery store. Swiftly responding with a two-word answer—via the reality that Aaron Rodgers is still a major part of the Jets universe—is the most efficient tactic.
“Can you not analyze, speak, or write about Aaron Rodgers anymore, and how he may impact the Jets this offseason?” they ask.
“Tough noogies,” we respond.
Aaron Rodgers matters because of the Jets’ decision
It’s really not that difficult to grasp why Aaron Rodgers remains a major topic of New York Jets discussion. In fact, there are multiple reasons why this is the case.
Out of the gate, the greatest reason why Rodgers remains locked into the Jets news cycle is quite simple: This organization decided to dump him.
Think about it for a moment, and do so with a clear head …
The New York Jets, an NFL franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010, informed Aaron Rodgers that they did not want to proceed with him. In an attempt at more transparency, let’s break it down by looking at both sides …
- Party No. 1 is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who’s qualified for the playoffs 11 times in his 20-year career (16 seasons as a non-injured starting quarterback), has a Super Bowl ring, and has four NFL MVP awards.
- Party No. 2 is an NFL franchise that’s made the playoffs just 14 times in its 65-year history, has one Super Bowl trophy, and has never employed an NFL MVP (save for Joe Namath‘s AFL MVP circa 1967).
Yet, party No. 2 no longer wants the services of party No. 1. Does everybody understand?
In all seriousness, as I tone down the sarcasm and get back to reality, I do understand the argument to move on from Rodgers—no matter how insane it looks in text form.
It was an extremely close call
As previously written, Glenn’s desire to start with a cleaner slate allows him to control the team-vision narrative and principles much more easily. It’s not so much that Rodgers would intentionally get in the way of potential communication, but rather that his larger-than-life presence makes things much trickier to navigate.
I also understand general manager Darren Mougey‘s desire not to risk his team’s financial situation by betting on a 41-year-old quarterback.
While I would have brought him back—provided he was totally on board with the new regime’s wishes, and because the $49 million in dead cap to kick him to the curb is already crazy expensive—I 100 percent empathize and understand this regime’s bold Rodgers-less route.
Either way, it’s an incredibly close call, which is why Aaron Rodgers remains such a rabid topic of conversation.
Rodgers remains on the Jets roster
Plus, when navigating to the New York Jets official roster page, what can be seen? Some of the usual names appear, such as Quinnen Williams, Sauce Gardner, and Garrett Wilson, but wait a second … who’s this guy?
My goodness, goodness gracious; of all the dramatic things, it’s Aaron Rodgers sitting in George Steinbrenner’s box … or something like that.
You get the point.
The man is still on the roster.
Technically, the only things that have transpired are initial reports and an official statement from the Jets organization. No, Rodgers will not be with the Jets in 2025 and beyond, but in terms of the transaction possibilities, a myriad of potential avenues still remain on the table.
While designating him as a post-June 1 cut to split up the dead-cap charges is still the odds-on favorite, a trade is still technically possible. So, anybody claiming Rodgers should no longer be discussed in Jets land is simply revealing their all-too-easily triggered nature.
If you’re one who’s easily triggered by the mere mention of Aaron Rodgers’s name, I have serious questions about your emotional state. Just how much are you projecting onto those around you?
Hmm (insert thinking-man emoji or Mr. Peanut).
It all boils down to hope
Look, I get it. I truly do understand what is happening.
To quote “The Honeymooners” great Ed Norton, “My mamma didn’t raise no stupid children, ya know.”
Aaron Rodgers is a polarizing fella. Some of the heat he takes is undeserved, whereas a lot of it comes on the heels of what he initially created.
From a New York Jets fan perspective, he represents the latest great failure in franchise history. Period. Full stop.
For the majority of the fanbase—the group that doesn’t break down the film or understand the game too well—it really doesn’t matter how well or poorly he played.
Grasping the correct context surrounding his 2024 on-field production isn’t required to react emotionally as a fan.
Even if he was thrust into an impossible situation—courtesy of horrid coaching and a rehab season via a torn Achilles—the nature of his position (quarterback), overall stature, and overwhelming hype coming into New York immediately made him the poster child for the Jets’ 5-12 record this past season.
Therefore, a mere mention of Rodgers ruins things. With Rodgers in the mix, the warm and fuzzy idea that is hope simply cannot reign supreme.
Aaron Glenn’s name, on the other hand, represents Jets fan hope in the best of ways. His record is clean, uninfected, and can only improve from here. The purest holy water that smattered his forehead in early February, courtesy of Jets fans, is the prototypical “start of something special” around these parts.
That is the story the members of this group want to hear.
It’s the only major theme the members of this group want to see.
A clean slate is required for hope to happen. For a clean slate to arrive, Aaron Rodgers must disappear.
Brett Favre’s 2009 situation wholly contrasts
The best argument I’ve heard so far is an instant classic.
A Jets fan on X (formerly Twitter) invoked Brett Favre as a response to not wanting to discuss Aaron Rodgers any longer.
This account responded to one of my thoughts about Rodgers. In short, I told everybody’s favorite, NYJ Matt, that it’s okay to discuss Aaron Rodgers.
In fact, it’s not just okay; it’s actually necessary since he’s still a major piece of the New York Jets universe.
This particular member of the “Anti-Rodgers Radical” group did not remember it being quite like this when Favre and the Jets separated in 2009.
I agree.
In February 2009, Favre retired from the NFL for the second time. Naturally, this retirement removed him from the Jets’ offseason discussion. From Rex Ryan to Mark Sanchez, Favre wasn’t even “in the league” until later that summer.
Although nobody can argue Favre remained too far away from NFL news circles for any period of time—retired or not—it wasn’t until six months later that he announced his return to football (for the Minnesota Vikings).
So, yeah … I agree, it wasn’t like this with Favre. I would agree that the guy who retired (however you’d like to define that)—essentially breaking up with the Jets—wasn’t in the New York Jets offseason universe nearly as much as the future Hall of Famer who the Jets just dumped.
Brett Favre ditched the Jets.
The Jets ditched Aaron Rodgers.
I mean, seriously … how could any fan believe that’s cause to suddenly pretend Aaron Rodgers no longer exists?
Final thoughts
Until a resolution officially arrives, the man will hold firm as a major part of the Jets offseason discussion. Any quarterback who’s rumored to join the team will be compared to him. Any big-money free agent rumored to sign on the dotted line will involve the Rodgers salary cap ramifications.
Sorry, my people; that’s just the way it is.
Oh, and guess what? Even after a resolution happens, Rodgers will remain a Jet topic. Granted, he won’t be discussed nearly as much as he is now, but the fact that his two years with the Jets did happen concretely etches his name in the annals of franchise history.
The only thing left is to come together for an end-of-meeting prayer:
“Please, football gods, provide the power of your love and sheer strength on this day. We, the holy conglomerate of Anti-Rodgers Radicals, pray to you, humbly asking that you channel your wisdom through the human host known by Glazer, Jay.
“We beg of you, football gods, for you’re our only hope. Do not allow Aaron Rodgers and the New York Giants to reach an agreement, for we admittedly do not yet have the strength. We beg for your mercy. Amen.”
