Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers made headlines on Thursday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he revealed that he is not yet ready to make a definitive decision regarding his plans for the 2025 NFL season. He acknowledged that retirement is still a possibility, stirring speculation among fans and analysts alike.
Rodgers confirmed that he has engaged in discussions with several teams, including the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers, following his release from the New York Jets last month. The Giants have since bolstered their quarterback roster by signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, while the Vikings are committed to evaluating J.J. McCarthy as a potential starter. In contrast, the Steelers currently face an unsettled quarterback situation, having only signed Mason Rudolph during free agency.
Despite ongoing communications with the Steelers, Rodgers indicated that he has not provided them with a timeline for his decision. He emphasized that his primary focus is on his personal life, mentioning a serious relationship and the challenges faced by two close acquaintances. Additionally, he stated that the upcoming NFL Draft would not influence his future plans.
Rodgers was released by the Jets on March 12, shortly after the team agreed to a contract with former Steeler Justin Fields. This move marked a significant shift in the Jets' quarterback strategy under the new leadership of coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. The Jets had earlier announced their decision to part ways with Rodgers after a meeting in February, leaving him surprised and confused by the rapid change in direction.
Reflecting on his time with the Jets, Rodgers noted that despite the abrupt ending, it did not tarnish his overall experience with the franchise. His two-year tenure resulted in disappointing on-field performance, as he managed to win only six of his 18 starts, contributing to a lackluster 5-12 record in the 2024 season. The Jets' leadership team, including coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas, who were pivotal in bringing Rodgers to New York in 2023, were also let go during the season.
At 41, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, ranking third on the Jets' single-season list. However, his performance was inconsistent, as he finished 25th in Total QBR, 30th in completion percentage, and 28th in yards per attempt among qualified quarterbacks. The Jets struggled in close games, finishing 3-7 in one-score matchups, with Rodgers unable to secure wins in critical moments.
The trade that brought Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers to the Jets in April 2023 is now viewed as one of the most disappointing transactions in franchise history. His first season ended abruptly due to a torn left Achilles on just the fourth snap of the opening game. Although he started every game in 2024, the Jets, who had Super Bowl aspirations, became largely irrelevant as the season progressed.
Despite the challenges, Rodgers endeared himself to the Jets organization in 2023 by taking a voluntary $35 million pay cut to facilitate salary cap relief. He was voted the most inspirational player by his teammates that year, especially after attempting to return from Achilles surgery late in the season, though his comeback ultimately fell short.
Before his time with the Jets, Rodgers established himself as a legendary figure with the Packers, leading them to 11 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl championship during his 15 years as a starter. He holds several franchise records, including most touchdown passes (475), highest completion percentage (65.3), and passer rating (103.6). He ranks second all-time in passing yards (59,055) and completions (5,001) behind Brett Favre.
Last season, Rodgers achieved the significant milestone of throwing his 500th career touchdown pass, becoming just the fifth player in NFL history to reach this mark. He finished the regular season with 503 touchdown passes, joining the elite company of Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), and Favre (508). Over his illustrious 20-year career, Rodgers has thrown just 116 interceptions and amassed 62,952 yards, placing him seventh on the all-time list.
As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers as he contemplates his future in the league.
