Aaron Rodgers believes his accomplishments in football speak volumes.
Therefore, the quarterback for the New York Jets doesn’t feel compelled to utilize the final part of this season to demonstrate his worth to the team and that he should be back next year. In fact, he considers it “ridiculous.”
“If they want me to remain, that’s great,” Rodgers stated on Wednesday. “If it requires these five games to show them what I offer, then perhaps they don’t fully understand my value.
“Nonetheless, I would love to perform exceptionally well in the last five games.”
Rodgers, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Monday, has faced challenges with both his performance and health as the Jets have struggled to a 3-9 record.
He has dealt with injuries to his legs — including a sprained ankle, a painful knee, and a tweaked hamstring — throughout the majority of the season. However, he emerged from the bye week feeling healthier than he had in several weeks. Despite this, he was erratic in a 26-21 defeat against Seattle and failed to guide New York to a winning drive during their final offensive series.
This led to speculation that the Jets might consider replacing Rodgers with Tyrod Taylor to potentially invigorate the offense. Instead, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stated he would keep Rodgers as the starter as long as he is healthy, and the quarterback mentioned during his regular spot on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that his aim is to conclude the season on the field, despite the team’s disappointing record.
“That’s what professionals do, and the most crucial ability is availability, which I lacked last year,” Rodgers said on Wednesday, referring to his torn Achilles tendon occurring just four plays into his debut with the Jets. “So I want to play the games, and I enjoy football. I am extremely competitive, and I love being out there with my teammates.”
He declined to attribute his unsatisfactory performance this season to injuries, asserting that he feels capable of playing when on the field. While Rodgers has accumulated 2,627 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions, his average of 6.3 yards per pass attempt marks the lowest in his starting career.
The AP Top 25 college football poll returns weekly throughout the season!
Get the poll sent directly to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here.
A few weeks ago, Rodgers indicated he believed he would like to play next year, but recently adjusted that to express uncertainty. He mentioned that health would be a significant consideration — and if he chose to play in 2025, the Jets would be his preferred team.
There is skepticism regarding whether the Jets would want him back as they look to rebuild under a new general manager and coach next season following the dismissals of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. Rodgers noted that some individuals have communicated their hopes for his return, but “not those who are making those choices.”
That elicited some chuckles, but Rodgers mentioned that discussions will definitely take place — eventually — to decide his future.
“I just remodeled my home here in New Jersey,” Rodgers noted. “My intention was to play several more years here, but we’ll see. I want to be healthy, I want to finish on my own terms, I want to perform well, and I want to feel appreciated if I return. If that’s not the case, I won’t take offense. I’ll be grateful regardless of what happens here.
“However, I need to be mentally and physically fit, and there must be interest from both parties. If that doesn’t happen, then I’ll consider other possibilities. But first, I need to contemplate whether I actually want to continue playing; usually, I take about a month to step away from it, which I plan to do, and then we’ll see what unfolds.”
During his time on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers pointed out the Detroit Lions — who experienced a 3-13-1 season in Dan Campbell’s inaugural year as coach in 2021 and are now sharing the best NFL record at 11-1 with Kansas City — as an example of a team that prospered from patient and encouraging ownership.
After practice on Wednesday, a reporter inquired about those comments and whether he believes the Jets have shown similar support.
“Is that a leading question?” he replied before clarifying he was merely giving an example
