Jets coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey mum on future of Aaron Rodgers: 'We're still in the evaluation mode'

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Jan 27, 2025

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — Now that the Jets have a new coach in Aaron Glenn and a new general manager in Darren Mougey, it’s time for the real work to begin.

Part of that will include deciding on Aaron Rodgers‘ future with the team.

Glenn and Mougey had their introductory press conference on Monday, and they stressed that Rodgers will be evaluated just like everyone else on the Jets roster.

“This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers, folks,” Glenn told reporters off to the side after his press conference. “We plan on building the best roster that we can. So whatever that may be — guard, tackle, defensive tackle, that’s what we’re evaluating.

“Everybody’s under the microscope. That’s just what it is.”

Glenn has already communicated with Rodgers and hopes to have more dialogue with the quarterback soon. Outside of that, he didn’t specify whether Rodgers would return for a third season with the Jets and a 21st season overall.

Glenn shut down a reporter’s question, who was adamant about getting an answer about Rodgers’ status.

“We’re still in the evaluation mode, so for anybody else who’s going to ask that, I’m going to give you the same answer,” Glenn said. "So don’t waste your time.”

Almost two years ago, the Jets acquired Rodgers in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers. They also appeased him by surrounding Rodgers with familiar faces such as Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and later Davante Adams. The Jets also hired Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator.

However, Rodgers, 41, missed all but four plays of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills that year. The Jets finished 7-10 that year. He returned for the 2024 season and played in all 17 games. However, Rodgers’ play didn’t resemble the player the Jets believed they were getting once the trade was made.

Rodgers passed for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions during the 2024 season. However, his inconsistent play contributed to the Jets’ disappointing 5-12 record.

Rodgers is unsure if he wants to continue playing. Mougey was asked about his impression of Rodgers’ current quarterback play, but he declined to answer.

“I got the most respect for Aaron Rodgers and what he’s done in this league as a player,” Mougey said. “One of the greatest of all-time to play the position, one of the greatest players of all-time.

“I know Aaron has his process in the offseason that he goes through. I don’t have a timeline on it. We are still going through the process and he’s going to go through his, but we will get there.”

Jets owner Woody Johnson said he will leave the decision on bringing Rodgers back up to Glenn and Mougey. According to reports, Johnson and Rodgers have a strained relationship.

After the Jets loss to the Broncos last October, Johnson suggested then-Jets coach Robert Saleh bench Rodgers, sources said, which didn’t sit well with the quarterback after he played through a knee, hamstring, and ankle injuries.

But Johnson said he would be happy to welcome back Rodgers if Glenn and Mougey were on board.

“I’m going to leave that to them,” Johnson said. “They’ve got to take a look at how the team composed and what they think they need and have to put all that together.

“If they want him back, Aaron’s a talent for sure. He’s a Hall of Famer.”

Rodgers is under contract for the 2025 season but has zero guaranteed money remaining. The Jets would have to exercise his $35 million option bonus if he returned.

If Rodgers retires or is released, the Jets must eat a $49 million salary cap charge. Rodgers is also under contract for the 2026 season, but the cap hit would be $63 million, potentially hurting the Jets’ spending power in free agency.

Rodgers told reporters before the end of last season that he would be open to restructuring his contract.

If the Jets decide to move on from Rodgers, the free agent and draft pool of candidates to replace him with is lackluster. Gang Green does have two quarterbacks currently on the roster: veteran Tyrod Taylor, who was Rodgers’ backup last season, and Jordan Travis, who was selected in the fifth round in the 2024 draft. Travis sat out all last season due to an ankle injury he suffered at Florida State.

“Me and Mougey are going to sit and talk and just go over the whole roster,” Glenn said. “I will tell you now, that is going to be the answer to a number of questions, when it comes to the roster in general, so we are looking forward to that process.

“I can’t tell you how long that process will be, but the thing is, we are going to make sure we are going to get the right answer and we are not going to rush through that answer, because we are going to get the right answer.”

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