Aaron Rodgers continues to prove the NY Jets made the right decision

The New York Jets officially closed the book on the Aaron Rodgers era earlier this offseason, putting an end to a disappointing two-year stint that never lived up to the hype.

Rather than wait around for clarity on Rodgers’ future, the Jets chose to hit the reset button, bringing in a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, a new general manager in Darren Mougey, and a new starting quarterback in Justin Fields.

While the Jets begin turning the page, Rodgers remains in limbo, still undecided on whether or not he’ll even play football in 2025. The four-time MVP is still a free agent as we approach the start of the 2025 NFL Draft in a few weeks, with no clear indication of his plans for this upcoming season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as the only real logical landing spot for Rodgers if he decides to play this year. The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings both appear to be out of the running for various reasons, leaving the Steelers as his only feasible destination.

But while the Steelers continue to wait for an answer that may never come, the Jets’ decision to turn the page looks smarter by the day.

Aaron Rodgers offseason saga makes NY Jets' decision look even smarter

Rodgers' tenure with the Jets was marred by both on-field struggles and off-field controversies. After a highly anticipated arrival in 2023, Rodgers infamously suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into his debut.

His return in 2024 failed to meet expectations, culminating in a disappointing 5–12 record, as Rodgers battled through multiple injuries to put together the worst season of his Hall of Fame career.

During this time, Rodgers’ frequent appearances on The Pat McAfee Show and a steady stream of off-field drama — some of which, to be fair, was a bit overblown — often overshadowed anything he was able to contribute on the field.

The Jets' new regime reportedly met with Rodgers, weighing a number of different factors, before ultimately deciding to move forward in a new direction this offseason. The lack of certainty surrounding his future was likely chief among those factors.

The Jets didn't want to deal with the potential headache and extensive baggage associated with one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. At this stage of his career, the effort simply outweighs the reward.

Rodgers remains indecisive about his future, leaving the Steelers — the only team showing significant interest — in a state of uncertainty. Steelers owner Art Rooney II has expressed frustration over the prolonged decision-making process, emphasizing that the team cannot wait indefinitely for Rodgers to make up his mind.

All of this just makes the Jets’ decision to move on look that much better. They’re out of the drama, the waiting, and everything else that seems to follow Rodgers wherever he goes.

The Jets have officially turned a new leaf with Fields now leading their offense. For the first time in years, they’re keeping distractions to a minimum — ironically, something Rodgers famously preached about during his time in New York.

As it turns out, he may have been the biggest distraction of them all.

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