Jets officially release QB Aaron Rodgers, making him a free agent

Photo : AP

Aaron Rodgers is no longer a part of the New York Jets. The team has officially removed him, making him free to join any other team. This was expected, as the Jets had already said in February that they would not keep him. The team did not post a public message about it, but the NFL’s official list showed the news on Thursday morning.

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Rodgers’ time with the Jets was full of hope but ended in failure. He joined the team in April 2023 after playing 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was a four-time best player and was expected to help the Jets win their first Super Bowl since 1968. But things went wrong very quickly.

In his first game, Rodgers hurt his leg just four plays into the match. He tore his Achilles tendon, a very serious injury that forced him to sit out the entire season. Without him, the Jets struggled and finished the season with only five wins and 12 losses. This poor result led the team to remove both their coach and general manager.

During his time with the Jets, Rodgers played in 18 games and threw 28 touchdown passes. He also passed for 3,897 yards last season, making him one of the top players in the team’s history. However, he was not at his best. He moved slower after his injury and also had leg problems, including a bad hamstring issue that made playing harder for him.

Letting Rodgers go also affects the team’s money plans. The Jets will lose $49 million, but they can split the loss into two years—$14 million this year and $35 million next year—so it does not hurt them all at once.

The Jets have already chosen a new quarterback. They have signed Justin Fields, who used to play for the Steelers and Bears, on a two-year deal worth $40 million. Fields will now lead the team as the main quarterback.

Rodgers must now decide what to do next. If he wants to continue playing, he has a few teams that might want him, like the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, or Minnesota Vikings.

Rodgers has achieved a lot in his career. He has thrown 503 touchdown passes, which is the fifth-highest in NFL history. Only four players—Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre—have more. He also has 62,952 passing yards, which puts him in seventh place in NFL history.

As Rodgers thinks about his future, the Jets are already looking ahead. They hope Justin Fields can bring them success and finally help them win another championship.