Aaron Rodgers retirement seems imminent after revealing NY Jets report

Aaron Rodgers will be remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Neither his brief, underwhelming stint with the NY Jets nor his various off-field controversies should diminish the overall legacy he leaves behind.

But as far as present-day Rodgers is concerned, it seems the time is nearing for the future Hall of Famer to hang up his cleats and call it a career. The writing is on the wall.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that "several people close to" Rodgers are preparing for the fact that today's game against the Miami Dolphins could be his final NFL start.

While Rapoport made it clear that nothing is certain yet — even as far as his Jets future is concerned — there seems to be growing buzz around the four-time MVP retiring in the near future. Today might be the final day Rodgers takes the field for an NFL game.

Aaron Rodgers might retire after today's NY Jets game

This likely isn't how one of the greatest of all time intended to end his storied career. When the Jets acquired Rodgers in the 2023 offseason, they did so with the expectation that he would help make the team a legitimate contender.

The Jets entered 2023 and 2024 with genuine Super Bowl aspirations, only for both seasons to go down as two of the most disappointing in franchise history. This most recent season has been as frustrating as any in recent memory.

The Jets enter today's Week 18 game against the Miami Dolphins with a 4-12 record. Rodgers has battled through injury to put together a decent season, although it's become painfully obvious that he's a shell of his former self.

The defense around Rodgers regressed significantly and the locker room imploded following the premature firing of Robert Saleh. Combine that with some classic Jets misfortune and you get the catastrophic failure that has been the Jets' 2024 season.

For Rodgers, however, there is one silver lining. The longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback made it a goal to play every game in 2024 after a torn Achilles wiped out his first year in New York. He will accomplish that today, becoming the first Jets quarterback to start every game in a season since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015.

The Jets still have a decision to make on Rodgers' future, but the overwhelming belief is that everyone in the organization is ready to move on. That's especially true for owner Woody Johnson, whose relationship with Rodgers is reportedly "fractured."

Rodgers remains undecided on his future plans and could generate interest from other teams if he intends to continue playing. But as of right now, reports suggest he's preparing to call it a career.

If this is it for Aaron Rodgers, let his legacy reflect his remarkable career — four MVPs, a Super Bowl ring, and countless unforgettable moments — not the struggles of a brief, yet disastrous Jets chapter.

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