Tag: Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) limps off the field during a play where it appeared he had gotten injured, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in East Rutherford. Rodgers was back on the field during Gang GreenÕs next possession.

Aaron Rodgers on his Jets future: ‘You should ask Woody’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers has made it clear that if he plays a 21st NFL season in 2025, he’d like to do so with the New York Jets. But he’s tried to turn the spotlight on the team’s owner, Woody Johnson, when the topic of his future arises.

Asked Tuesday whether he believes the organization wanted him back next year following another disappointing campaign, Rodgers acknowledged that several decision-makers have to be put in place before the Jets plan their future. New York fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the season.

“There’s a GM that has to get hired, I would assume first, and then he’s going to be part of hiring the head coach,” Rodgers said, “so I have to be in the plans of multiple people, starting with the ownership and then the GM and then the head coach.”

Rodgers was asked if he believes Johnson wants him to return.

“You should ask Woody,” Rodgers said, later adding that he and the owner have not had any conversations about his future with Gang Green.

His comments to reporters came one day after his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he also discussed his playing future and seemed to poke fun at Johnson.

“Being released would be a first; being released by a teenager, that would also be a first,” Rodgers said with a laugh Monday. “So, hey, I’m open to everything and I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, hey, it’s a great story.”

Rodgers was referring to a report by The Athletic last week that said Johnson has been swayed by advice from his teenage sons, Brick and Jack, including about whether to pursue trades for certain players.

The Jets would absorb a $49 million dead cap hit if they release or trade Rodgers this offseason.

After his first season with New York was ruined four snaps into Week 1 when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, Rodgers has thrown for 3,511 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions this year as the Jets have gone 4-11.

Rodgers is playing through an MCL injury but said Tuesday there was “no way” he wouldn’t play in the Jets’ Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Aaron Rodgers signals possibility of release by Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers told reporters Wednesday he’ll take some time after the season ends to consider his playing future but added the caveat, “Unless I get released right away.”

Rodgers is under contract with the Jets for next season but speculation about his future has been rampant amid the 41-year-old’s struggles leading the Jets to a 4-10 record.

The Jets came away with a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their most recent game, with Rodgers finishing 16-of-30 passing for 289 yards and three scores. They lost in overtime to the Miami Dolphins the week before, when Rodgers went 27-for-39 for 339 yards.

Asked by a reporter whether his recent performances changed his feelings about his future, Rodgers said, “No, I’m going to take some time after the year — unless I get released right away — but I’ll still take some time whether or not I want to play.”

Rodgers returned this year after missing all but four plays of his first season in New York in 2023, when he tore his left Achilles tendon in the season opener.

His comeback season hasn’t gone according to plan, though. Rodgers has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,255 yards and 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions — with his completion percentage, yards per completion and touchdown rate ranking among the lowest of his 20-year career.

In a late November appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the veteran quarterback said he has yet to decide if he’ll play in 2025 — however if he does, he’d like to play for the Jets.

“I’m gonna wait and see what happens at the end of the season and if they want me back, and what happens with (interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich) and what happens with the offensive staff and obviously the GM at the time, and then they just fired Joe (Douglas). There’s a lot of things out of my control when it comes to that. But I really have enjoyed my time in New York.

“… I don’t even know if I wanna play yet, but New York would be my first option.”

Rodgers is under contract for next season with a $2.5 million base salary plus a $35 million option bonus.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers still starting for Jets: ‘He’s our quarterback’

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Aaron Rodgers remains the starting signal-caller for the New York Jets, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday.

“He’s our quarterback,” Ulbrich confirmed to reporters on Rodgers’ 41st birthday.

“We have great belief in Aaron. We think he gives us the best opportunity to win.”

The Jets fell to 3-9 on Sunday after squandering a 21-7 lead in a 26-21 loss to the visiting Seattle Seahawks.

Rodgers completed 21 of 39 passes for 185 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against Seattle.

The four-time league MVP has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 2,627 yards with 19 TDs and eight picks in 12 starts this season.

Rodgers is in his second season in New York after an 18-year run with the Green Bay Packers that included 10 Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory.

He tore an Achilles tendon on his first series in his Jets debut in the 2023 season opener and missed the rest of the campaign.

“We believe, as he gets healthier and his mobility starts to improve, you’re going to see a better and better version of him,” Ulbrich said Monday.

The Jets play three of their last five games on the road, starting on Sunday at the Miami Dolphins (5-7).

Rodgers is six touchdown passes away from becoming the fifth player in NFL history with 500, joining Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and his Packers predecessor, Brett Favre.

The other quarterbacks on the Jets’ roster are journeyman Tyrod Taylor and 2024 fifth-round pick Jordan Travis.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the ball during the second quarter, Sunday, November 17, 2024, in East Rutherford.

Aaron Rodgers: Unsure on ’25 but Jets ‘would be my first option’

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Aaron Rodgers disputed a report that said he wants to continue his NFL career in 2025 on a team other than the New York Jets.

Appearing Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the veteran quarterback said he has yet to decide if he’ll play in 2025 — however if he does, he’d like to play for the Jets.

“I haven’t told anybody in my life that I wanna play in 2025 and not on the Jets,” Rodgers said. “So, that’s 100 percent false.

“I actually said the opposite, that I’m gonna wait and see what happens at the end of the season and if they want me back, and what happens with (interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich) and what happens with the offensive staff and obviously the GM at the time, and then they just fired Joe (Douglas). There’s a lot of things out of my control when it comes to that. But I really have enjoyed my time in New York.

“… I don’t even know if I wanna play yet, but New York would be my first option.”

The Athletic previously reported that Rodgers wanted to play for another team in 2025.

Rodgers, who turns 41 on Saturday, acknowledged the obvious that the season hasn’t gone that way he would’ve liked for the Jets (3-8).

Rodgers returned this year after missing all but four plays of his first season in New York in 2023, when he tore his left Achilles tendon in the season opener.

His comeback season hasn’t gone according to plan, though. Rodgers has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,442 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions — with his completion percentage, yards per completion and touchdown rate ranking among the lowest of his 20-year career.

Rodgers is under contract for next season with a $2.5 million base salary plus a $35 million option bonus.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field after losing to the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jets not planning to shut down QB Aaron Rodgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers remains the quarterback for the New York Jets and there are no plans to shut him down because of nagging injuries, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday.

Rodgers is “absolutely” the starting quarterback for the Jets (3-8) against the Seattle Seahawks (6-5), Ulbrich confirmed.

Responding to questions centered around reports Rodgers was bypassing medical tests for minor leg injuries — a swollen knee and a tender ankle — Ulbrich said there has been no discussion about shelving Rodgers.

“All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich said. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the last month, and a healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. So, excited about what that looks like.”

Ulbrich, named interim coach in October, said coming back from the team’s bye week he wasn’t aware of Rodgers skipping scans or X-rays.

“That’s news to me,” Ulbrich said Monday.

The Jets have lost seven of their last eight games and Ulbrich said Monday one area of focus after a bye week is keeping players focused regardless of playoff chances.

Rodgers turns 41 on Dec. 2 and said he is planning to return for the 2025 season despite disappointment over the results to date of what he framed as a redemption season. Rodgers, acquired in a trade from the Packers in 2023, was lost for the entire season when he ruptured his Achilles on the first possession of his debut with New York.

He has 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2024 but hasn’t thrown a pick since the Oct. 20 loss at Pittsburgh.

The Jets are making plans to move forward with front office interviews for general manager and a permanent head coach. Owner Woody Johnson’s relationship with Rodgers has been questioned publicly, but a contradicting report emerged Sunday stating the two recently dined together in New York.

–Field Level Media

Apr 26, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left) and owner Woody Johnson pose for a photo during the introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images

Report: Jets owner suggested benching QB Aaron Rodgers

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The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, and they fired general manager Joe Douglas on Tuesday.

Yet team owner Woody Johnson reportedly sought another huge move that didn’t happen: the benching of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Athletic reported Tuesday that Johnson advocated a QB change in a Sept. 29 meeting.

Per the report, Johnson brought together a group of coaches and front office staffers in the wake of a 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos that dropped the Jets’ record to 2-2.

Johnson advocated installing Tyrod Taylor at quarterback in place of Rodgers, according to The Athletic. Douglas and the coaches, including Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Jeff Ulbrich, then the defensive coordinator, now the interim head coach, reportedly were shocked by the suggestion, with one participant asking Johnson if he was being serious.

The meeting ended with the idea being dismissed.

Rodgers, a 40-year-old veteran who is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has started every game this season for the 3-8 Jets. He has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,442 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Last year, his first with New York, Rodgers sustained a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon early in the opening game.

In his career, largely with the Green Bay Packers (2005-22), Rodgers has a 151-83-1 record as a starter with 61,497 passing yards, 492 passing touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

Taylor, 35, went 2-3 as a starter for the Jets last year. A former Pro Bowl performer with the Buffalo Bills who also has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and New York Giants, Taylor owns a career 28-28-1 record in a starting role.

This season, Taylor has completed 6 of 8 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers expects to play next season

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledges he is not having a good season, but he doesn’t see it as the end of his career.

Asked Wednesday whether he expects to play again next year, Rodgers replied, “I think so, yeah.”

The 40-year-old veteran added, “I’m not playing as well as I would’ve liked to play, for sure. The beauty in this game is it’s a team game. The frustrating part is that if you’re a great competitor, you hold yourself to a standard that’s not unrealistic, and I haven’t reached that standard this year.”

Rodgers returned this year after missing all but four plays of his first season in New York in 2023, when he tore his left Achilles tendon in the season opener.

His comeback season hasn’t gone according to plan, though. Rodgers ranks 23rd in the NFL in passer rating at 86.8. He has completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,258 yards and 15 touchdowns with seven interceptions — with his completion percentage, yards per completion and touchdown rate ranking among the lowest of his 20-year career.

The Jets, who entered the season with high expectations, own a 3-7 record.

Commenting on whether the team’s struggles are impacting his view on his future, Rodgers said, “Not really, not for the negative. Not really, no.”

Rodgers is under contract for next season with a $2.5 million base salary plus a $35 million option bonus.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers nursing ailing hamstring among other injuries

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has added another ailment to his growing list of injuries.

Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Wednesday that Rodgers is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained during the team’s 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Per Ulbrich, Rodgers will be listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice due to knee, ankle and hamstring injuries.

“It is new,” Ulbrich said of the hamstring injury. “Something that kinda flared up this past game. They’re gonna assess it all week long, he’s gonna treat his butt off like he always does and don’t anticipate this affecting him in playing.”

Rodgers, 40, completed 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Steelers. The four-time NFL MVP is completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,663 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven picks.

Also on Wednesday, the Jets signed veteran safety Jalen Mills off the practice squad and placed offensive lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson on injured reserve.

Mills, 30, totaled nine tackles in two appearances after being previously elevated from the practice squad.

Newman-Johnson was taken off the field via a stretcher in the third quarter on Sunday and sent to a hospital with a neck injury. He was released from the hospital hours later.

Newman-Johnson, 25, was playing in his seventh game of the season and 18th of his three-year career.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Interim HC: Jets paralyzed by desire to perform

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trying too hard can be as dangerous as not trying hard enough. That’s the message New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich wants to reverberate in his locker room this week.

“There’s an element right now because of the high character of our locker room and this team that there’s a bit of pressing to make things happen,” Ulbrich said Monday. “It’s coming from the absolute best place on Earth, guys wanting to do the best for their teammates, this fan base, this organization. We have all got to take a deep breath and just do our job, collectively.”

The Jets lost to the Steelers on Sunday night and at 2-5 are third in the AFC East and falling further behind the Buffalo Bills (5-2). They visit last-place New England this week. The Patriots are 1-6 and have been outscored by 76 points in seven games.

But Ulbrich doesn’t want the Jets to focus on the upcoming opponent just yet.

From his perspective, Ulbrich said the desire to deliver has become so strong that the Jets are “getting away from who we are.”

He said some of the implied or imagined pressure players are feeling has to do with expectations.

“It raises the level of expectation when you put an Aaron Rodgers into the fold,” Ulbrich said. “That need and want to sometimes do more than I need to do, that can get in our way sometimes. There’s an element of getting back to the basics. And just doing our job.”

Asked if Rodgers is pressing, Ulbrich said, “I think there’s an element to a good portion of the guys in this locker room. It’s not pressing from a selfish standpoint by any means. More just a byproduct of there’s a strong connection on this team, stronger than most that I’ve ever been around. They just want to do right by each other. I’ve got to do a better job of alleviating them of that pressure they’re putting on themselves.

“I think he’s such an amazing human being and teammate, he feels such a strong obligation to this team and locker room, that can get us all out of whack sometimes, myself included.”

Ulbrich met with Haason Reddick after he reported to the Jets for the first time Monday morning. Ulbrich said Reddick is raring to go but must get through medical protocols, including a routine physical. Ulbrich said the Jets won’t make a decision about Reddick playing this week until he gets on the field and they make a mutual assessment.

–Field Level Media