Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says his playing future is undetermined, but ‘first option’ would be New York Nov 26, 2024

Aaron Rodgers cast doubt on his playing future on Tuesday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, just a few weeks after telling reporters that he thought he would like to return for a 21st season in the NFL in 2025.

Rodgers did state that if he was to play next season, his preference would be to play in New York, where he’s been since joining the Jets ahead of the 2023 campaign, but he acknowledged there are a lot of factors that will impact a future decision.

“I feel like I’ve been kind of year to year,” Rodgers said on Tuesday. “When you’re 40 going on 41, you’re at the end of your career. There’s a lot of things, obviously, if it’s New York they have to want me to be here. The new GM, the new staff all have to want me to be with the Jets. Body-wise, I have to see how I’m feeling, and if I want to sign up to go back to the grind and all that.

“It feels good. I’m healthy now. … If I can stay healthy the rest of the year and play the way I want to play and everybody feels good about bringing me back, then there’s a decision there. And if not, then there’s all the other options. I think at this point I’m open to everything and attached to nothing. It’s a good place to be.”

Rodgers’ future with the Jets became a national storyline last week following New York’s decision to fire Joe Douglas — a move that Rodgers said he found out about as he was about to fly to California during the Jets’ bye.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that no firm decision has been made on Rodgers for next season, noting that the veteran quarterback’s play down the stretch could impact a final call. The Athletic reported that Rodgers would like to play next season, but for a different team, which Rodgers denied on Tuesday.

“As far as my future goes, I haven’t told anybody in my life that I want to play in 2025 and not on the Jets,” Rodgers said. “So that’s 100 percent false. I actually said the opposite. I said, I’m going to wait and see what happens at the end of the season. and if they want me back, what happens with (interim HC Jeff Ulbrich), what happens with the offensive staff, and obviously, the GM at the time. They just fired Joe. There’s a lot of things out of my control when it comes to that. But I’ve really enjoyed my time in New York. Obviously, we haven’t had the success that we’ve all wanted to have, but I’ve made some great friendships on the team. I’ve enjoyed living in Jersey. I’ve enjoyed time in the city. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the fans. I came here to win here, so I’m not jumping off ship, ‘Like, I definitely want to play and not in New York.’ I don’t even know if I want to play yet, but New York would be my first option.”

The 3-8 Jets currently are No. 12 in the AFC playoff picture, and Rodgers has been mired in one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. Amid the poor play, Rodgers has dealt with hamstring, knee and ankle injuries. Rapoport reported on Sunday that Rodgers has resisted undergoing scans, which the four-time Most Valuable Player addressed on Tuesday.

“I feel great right now,” Rodgers said. “I had the week off. I felt really good last week or last game we played against the Colts. Felt as good as I’ve felt in a long time. I will not willingly go on IR without an injury. When it comes to scans. First of all, I’ve played 20 years. I know my body better than anybody. Second of all, I’ve got a great relationship with [the Jets training staff]. We had a lot of great conversations where they diagnosed what I was dealing with, and I told them how I was feeling.

“We talked about the possibilities of playing and rehabbing, and what it would take. There was no mandate ever of ‘You’ve got to get this scan.’ And I was like, ‘I ain’t f—— getting the scan.’ It was ‘How do you feel?’ I told them, ‘I know my body well. What do you see in your diagnosis? OK. What are the risks of playing? What are the likelihood of playing, what kind of treatment do I got to do to get back?’ That was that. There wasn’t any weirdness around that. Normal conversations.”

Ulbrich told reporters on Monday that the team has zero plans to shut down Rodgers and he “absolutely” would be the starter for their Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Rodgers’ role as starter also became a talking point over the past week after it was reported that Jets owner Woody Johnson suggested Rodgers should be benched following a Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Rodgers was asked on Tuesday about his relationship with Johnson.

“I think it’s a good relationship,” Rodgers said. “I have a lot of gratitude for all the Johnsons for bringing me in. Had some good conversations over the last two years.”