Aaron Rodgers could ironically help Jets in their pursuit of a QB this offseason

The New York Jets enter yet another offseason searching for answers at the quarterback position, which is a familiar and frustrating position for the organization to be in.

Last year’s Justin Fields experiment failed in spectacular fashion, sending the Jets back to the drawing board once again. This time around, they have no shortage of potential paths to explore, whether that means pursuing a veteran via trade, dipping into free agency, or looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft.

The challenge, of course, is that the Jets are far from alone, as several teams across the league will also be hunting for quarterback help in the coming months. That increased competition could make finding the right solution even more difficult, especially in a rather thin QB market.

Ironically enough, though, the Jets may have an unexpected ally in this process. A familiar former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, could end up playing a role in aiding the Jets’ pursuit of their next signal-caller.

Aaron Rodgers could help the Jets land a QB this offseason

In a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero provided an update on Rodgers' NFL future. Pelissero reported that "the odds are rising that he comes back," and if he does, it will almost certainly be with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The odds are rising that [Aaron Rodgers] comes back. I don't see it being any place else... if he's going to play, I believe it's going to be for the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Tom Pelissero

New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters last month that he would "definitely" love to see Rodgers return as his team's starting quarterback in 2026. McCarthy and Rodgers, of course, spent years together in Green Bay, which has only added to the speculation.

If Rodgers ultimately decides to play another season in Pittsburgh, the Steelers would almost certainly be removed from the veteran quarterback market this offseason.

While they could still look to draft a quarterback in 2026, having Rodgers in place would eliminate any urgency to pursue an established veteran. That would be good news for the Jets, as it would reduce competition for quarterbacks and thin out an already crowded market.

Of course, this is Aaron Rodgers we’re talking about. Expecting the future Hall of Famer to make a prompt and tidy decision would be foolish, as the most likely scenario is that he drags this out for months before ultimately deciding to return.

But the tides seem to be shifting in the direction of Rodgers returning for another year. And if he does, the Jets will ironically be one of the teams to directly benefit from his decision.