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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers appears to have grown tired of answering questions about his future.
When asked if he thinks team owner Woody Johnson wants him to return to the Jets in 2025, Rodgers told reporters, “You should ask Woody.” He was then asked if he had any conversations with Johnson about his future with the team and he simply responded, “No.”
ESPN’s Rich Cimini noted that Rodgers was “unusually curt” in his responses, “boosting the perception of a rift” between him and Johnson. There have been multiple instances throughout the year where it has been made clear that the two of them are not close, such as when Johnson reportedly suggested benching Rodgers in Week 6 or when Rodgers said he has more of a relationship with Johnson’s brother, vice chairman Christopher Johnson.
Rodgers spoke openly about the possibility of being released at the end of the season, saying that he doesn’t see it as a likelihood but knows there’s still a chance it happens.
“I don’t think it’s a high percentage,” he said. “I think this is probably a conversation to be had, but I’m just not naive to that being a zero [percent chance].”
In his first year back from a torn Achilles that cost him virtually the entire 2023 season, Rodgers has led the Jets to a 4-11 record. The team will miss the playoffs for the 14th straight year, the longest active drought in the NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL.
While Rodgers has had a few bright spots throughout the year, it’s clear that age has caught up to him. There’s a chance New York could be better off by pursuing a younger quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft or free agency.
The Jets will move one step closer to ending their disastrous year when they face the Buffalo Bills (12-3) on Sunday. Rodgers, who said he’s dealing with an MCL injury in his left knee, declared, “There is no way I’m not playing.”
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