Category: New York jets

 

 

Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers are both likely to be released by the New York Jets this offseason.

Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers are both likely to be released by the New York Jets this offseason. / Ed Mulholland-

 

Davante Adams has almost certainly played his last game as a member of the New York Jets.

 

With Aaron Rodgers gone, Adams’s fate is all but certain, given his connection to the 41-year-old quarterback. At the end of the season, Adams signaled that if Rodgers was gone he almost certainly would be too. That’s because his salary cap hit in 2025 is $38.3 million. He’d have to rework the deal if he wanted to stay with the franchise but with Rodgers gone, that’s highly unlikely.

 

Adams indicated at the end of the season that his future with the team was tied to Rodgers. He’s under contract for two more years, but he won’t have to request his release. It will happen because his 2025 cap charge is prohibitive — $38.3 million, none of it guaranteed. The only way to stay is to renegotiate the deal, and he probably prefers to be released, allowing him to test free agency for the first time.

 

The Jets would save $29.9 million but cutting Adams loose.

 

The 32-year-old three-time All-Pro landed with New York on October 15, 2024, when the Jets sent a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft to the Las Vegas Raiders to secure his services. In 11 games with the franchise, Adams caught 67 passes for 854 yards and seven touchdowns.

 

The Jets have cleaned house after a 5–12 season and will likely attempt to build with youth. That leaves no room for Adams or Rodgers. Both former Green Bay Packers stars will be hitting free agency for the first time in their careers.

 

 

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Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets reacts during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

 

The New York Jets made it official, announcing that they’re breaking up with Aaron Rodgers after two disappointing seasons amid yet another organizational reset.

 

Rodgers recently met with new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey to discuss the Jets’ plans, and a statement released by the team Thursday pronounced New York was going in a different direction at quarterback.

 

It’s unclear what that other direction is. Tyrod Taylor has a year remaining on his contract. Jordan Travis, a 2024 fifth-round pick, has yet to practice with the Jets while recovering from an ankle injury. The 2025 free-agent quarterback market isn’t robust and neither is the looming quarterback draft class.

 

The top quarterbacks set to hit free agency include Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Zach Wilson, Andy Dalton, Drew Lock, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco and Trey Lance. The Jets’ struggles with Darnold and Zach Wilson at QB led them to Rodgers in the first place.

 

 

The 41-year-old rebounded from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Week 1 of 2023 to complete 63 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. Rodgers’ passer rating of 90.5 was the lowest of his 14 full seasons as a starter and he went 5-12, the worst record of his career.

 

Rodgers’ plans for the future remain unknown. The fact that he traveled to Jets headquarters to meet with Glenn and Mougey seems to suggest he is considering playing a 21st NFL season. What teams are in the market for a four-time league MVP with a Super Bowl ring and a 42nd birthday coming up in December? And which of those teams would appeal to Rogers?

 

A quick poll of a half-dozen NFL talent evaluators yielded meager returns. They see few great fits for Rodgers at this point in his career. There are no situations similar to, say, Peyton Manning joining the Denver Broncos for one last shot at Super Bowl glory.

 

The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants all have quarterback needs. But few of them — if any — are an aging star quarterback away from contending.

 

Rodgers’ criteria for a potential next destination is unknown. But here’s a stab at the best potential fits for the future Hall of Famer.

 

 

Las Vegas Raiders

The revamping Raiders seemingly would love to make a splash as they kick off the Pete Carroll era. Right now, the Raiders have a gaping hole at quarterback. They do have a beast of a tight end in Brock Bowers, a 1,000-yard receiver in Jakobi Meyers, a young and talented offensive line and a dominant pass rusher in Maxx Crosby.

 

Perhaps Rodgers could come in and give the team a spark. Getting past the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos in the AFC West still could prove challenging. Yet this might be a win-win situation for a team that needs a bridge quarterback and a fading star who isn’t ready to hang ’em up yet.

 

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee has the first pick in a draft that does not boast a clear franchise-saving quarterback prospect. Would a dance with Rodgers make sense? The Titans have some pieces on offense: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley delivered a 1,000-yard season despite catching passes from Will Levis (only 2,091 passing yards), and running back Tony Pollard rushed for 1,000 yards. They also have a stout defense, and the AFC South is seemingly always up for grabs.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

For the record, this doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. But because Las Vegas has Mike Tomlin’s team as the early leaders in odds to land Rodgers, we’ll include Pittsburgh for a matter of debate. Yes, the Steelers are a playoff team, and yes, they have a good defense, a talented wide receiver in George Pickens and a strong running back in pending free agent Najee Harris.

 

But this doesn’t feel like a fit. Stylistically, the Steelers and Rodgers clash. Rodgers still wants to sling the ball around and command the spotlight. Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith like to lean on their defense, run the ball and take shots through the air here and there. Tomlin is also the undisputed alpha of the franchise, and Rodgers always challenges authority. Don’t see it.

 

 

It makes some sense. Rodgers comes in and runs an offense he has great familiarity with from his time in Green Bay with Matt LaFleur. Deebo Samuel would possibly no longer want out. Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle … the weapons abound. This also gets the 49ers out of having to overpay Brock Purdy to be average in 2025. Rodgers holds it down, and they draft a long-term option in 2026.

 

It all makes so much sense … until you remember that former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan, although perfectly capable of tweaking the offense to mask Rodgers’ deficiencies, also might wind up clashing with the headstrong quarterback. It was a thought for a second.

 

The options are indeed limited. The Browns aren’t likely to add to their disaster of a quarterback situation. The Giants are so far away from contending. There really aren’t many teams that make sense. And that’s why Rodgers’ best move might be retirement. He came back from the Achilles tear. He played all 17 games and became the fifth quarterback to throw 500 touchdown passes in his career.

 

While he didn’t have the storybook ending he wanted, he accomplished something. He can remain close to the game and still make great money with a TV deal. Tom Brady’s making $37.5 million a year on average from Fox. Rodgers, whose appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” inspired considerable attention, should be able to command a pretty penny as well.

 

 

Mike Jones joined The Athletic as a national NFL writer in 2022 after five years at USA Today, where he covered the NFL, and eight years at The Washington Post, where he covered the Washington Commanders. He previously covered the Washington Wizards for The Washington Times. Mike is a native of Warrenton, Va.

 

Rodgers lasted only two season as a member of the Jets

Rodgers lasted only two season as a member of the Jets

“He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”

 

Rodgers’ time as a Jet lasted only two seasons and less than 18 total games played.

 

 

Fans were left confused when the team’s official X account wrote this message, thanking Rodgers for ‘everything’

It resulted in just five wins.

 

His time as a member of Gang Green was an unequivocal failure.

 

A large part of that was the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered just four plays into the 2023 season.

 

 

Coming back from such a serious injury on the wrong side of 40 was always going to be an uphill climb.

 

Sprinkle in his weekly appearances with Pat McAfee on ESPN, a fired head coach midseason, trading and signing ‘his guys’, the Jets have opted out of the Rodgers business and circus that followed.

 

The Jets official X account posted a farewell that read, “For everything you’ve given us the past two years, thank you 8”

 

This left fans confused as to what exactly the ‘everything’ was.

 

Was it the five wins?

 

The constant distractions?

 

“What has he given you? 2 losing seasons,” one fan posted on X.

 

“Couldn’t be less thankful,” another fan chimed on.

 

However, it wasn’t all negative, as one fan lamented the organization’s decision to not bring Rodgers back.

 

 

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams talks on Aaron Rodgers

“The wrong move, hopefully we have a good plan in place,” wrote the fan.

 

While Rodgers wasn’t terrible this past year, he wasn’t exactly good nor consistent.

 

He threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, but was ranked 30th among qualifying quarterbacks in completion percentage.

 

Of his 17 starts, nine have had a negative EPA and Rodgers finished 26th in EPA per attempt for the season and 30th in air yards per attempt.

 

 

The Jets will face nearly $50million in dead money when they release him and can either take the full hit this year or designate him as a post-June 1 cut.

 

If they choose the latter, which is likely, they’d save $9.5m, but then absorb a $35m cap hit in 2026.

 

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell summed up the Rodgers experience in New York with a perfect post on X.

 

“Two second-round picks, $75 million, the contracts for Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Tim Boyle,” Barnwell said.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has publicly expressed his desire to return to Western Pennsylvania on his second NFL contract.

 

However, Russell Wilson’s potential return looms over Fields’ free agency. There’s little reason for both to participate in Pittsburgh’s timeshare in 2025, and the chances to sign elsewhere as a starter are incredibly finite. If he’s going to make a jump to a full-time starting role, it will be in the coming months.

 

It’s just a matter of where.

 

Aaron Rodgers Vs Justin Fields

Aaron Rodgers Vs Justin Fields By Tony Fisher

One bold prediction from Pro Football Network says Fields will replace Aaron Rodgers and sign with the New York Jets.

 

“Nonetheless, Fields was effective as a starter for the Steelers in 2024 before being benched for Wilson after six games,” Ben Rolfe wrote. “Beyond the 4-2 record and 5-1 TD-INT ratio, Fields also averaged 0.04 EPA per dropback, which would have been inside the top 20 at the position if he had thrown enough passes to qualify for the leaderboard (200).

 

“Fields also had the highest completion percentage of his career (65.8%) and continues to be a red-zone weapon with his legs (five rushing TDs, all from the 7-yard line or closer). With the Jets likely moving on from Rodgers after the 41-year-old finished 21st in PFN’s QB+ rankings (72.1 grade), Fields could be a high-upside option for a roster that is otherwise veteran-laden and could be competitive in 2025.”

 

Fields showcased his competence and development in his hot start to the season. However, it wasn’t enough to earn the Steelers’ trust, even as Wilson struggled down the stretch.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up next to quarterback Russell Wilson (3).

If Pittsburgh decided to prioritize Wilson, landing in New York makes some amount of sense. With Rodgers hypothetically out of the picture, the Jets would need a similar floor-raising passer who could hold down the fort until a rookie quarterback enters the fray.

 

A Fields/Tyrod Taylor tandem offers athleticism and more out-of-structure play than Rodgers gave the Jets last year, albeit without the in-structure prowess Rodgers was supposed to provide.

 

With more talent than Pittsburgh’s surrounding cast, a short-term deal for Fields gives him the opportunity to start and a cleaner path to production, potentially parlaying itself into another, more lucrative contract.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 11, 2025.

 

The New York Jets and their decision on what to do with Aaron Rodgers looms as the biggest question mark hanging over the franchise this offseason.

 

Of course, Rodgers has a say in it, too, but so far, there has been little information regarding how each side wants to move forward.

 

But it is the offseason, which means ideas are floating around, and Pro Football Network has offered up a bold prediction for the Jets that sends Rodgers to the Las Vegas Raiders to work with Pete Carroll…and he takes Davante Adams with him.

 

“The Las Vegas Raiders did not hire Pete Carroll for a long rebuild,” PFN writes. “At 73 years old, Carroll is unlikely to be there for the long haul, which means the Raiders need to take a step to challenge sooner rather than later. Rodgers, though, could be available for a trade and potentially make Vegas a challenger. Rodgers is a relatively cheap experiment in 2025. He would only cost $9.5 million against the cap and $37.5 million in cash for the year. With more than $90 million in cap space, the Raiders can then also make moves to enhance Rodgers’ chances of succeeding. Davante Adams reunion, anyone?”

 

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

It is an interesting thought. … especially with Tom Brady now in charge of running the Raiders show.

 

Per Spotrac, Rodgers has a $23.5 million cap hit and a dead cap hit of $49 million in 2025, so that might see any potential move be a little tough.

 

 

Plus, would Rodgers really want to go to a Raiders team stuck in the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs and two other up-and-coming teams in the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, all the while learning another playbook and teammates?

 

We find that hard to believe, but this is the NFL so never say never, but Rodgers a Raider? We don’t see it.

 

 

 

 

The NY Jets are no strangers to superstar trade requests. Following the news of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett’s trade request on Monday, the Jets are hoping that Garrett Wilson isn’t the next star to join him this offseason.

 

The Jets have been forced to deal with multiple high-profile trade requests in recent years. Just this past season, Haason Reddick asked out before he ever suited up for a game with the team. Reddick wasn’t ultimately dealt, but the same can’t be said for the team’s last homegrown star to request a trade: Jamal Adams.

 

It’s safe to say the Jets hope that Wilson’s situation doesn’t reach a boiling point like it did with Adams over a half-decade ago now. There is concern, however, that a Wilson trade request is inevitable.

 

ESPN’s Rich Cimini fueled speculation about a Wilson trade when commenting on the Garrett request on Monday. Cimini noted that Garrett was the “first bombshell trade request of the offseason,” seemingly hinting that there were more to come.

 

This prompted many Jets fans to speculate that this was a reference to Wilson and his obvious frustrations.

 

The NY Jets still fear a Garrett Wilson trade request

Wilson’s status will be one of the most important storylines for the Jets this offseason. The former first-round pick has publicly and privately expressed his frustration with the organization’s lack of direction and overall incompetence during his time in New York.

 

The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported in December that many inside (and outside) the Jets organization wonder “when — not if — Wilson will request a trade.” Many seem to believe it’s only a matter of time.

 

There have been rumblings that Wilson was unhappy with his role in the Jets’ offense following the Davante Adams trade last season, with some believing that Aaron Rodgers’ preference for his ex-Packers teammate rubbed Wilson the wrong way.

 

Wilson’s role notably diminished following the Adams acquisition and he was relegated to the role of WR2 in the Jets’ offense. Combine that with a revolving door of head coaches, offensive coordinators, and quarterbacks and it’s easy to see why Wilson might want out.

 

The good news for the Jets is that they won’t be forced to honor a Wilson trade request even if it happens. The former Ohio State star is under contract in 2025 and likely will be in 2026 once the Jets exercise his fifth-year option.

 

The Jets also have the flexibility to place the franchise tag on Wilson in 2027 and even 2028 if it gets to that point. The organization holds all the leverage in this situation — not Wilson.

 

Still, it’s never ideal when a supposed franchise cornerstone and team leader publicly requests a trade. The Cleveland Browns may have no plans to trade Myles Garrett, but that doesn’t mean his public request won’t serve as an unnecessary distraction.

 

The Jets want Garrett Wilson to be happy, and there’s still a chance that happens in Florham Park. However, as time passes, the growing belief is that it’s only a matter of time before he requests a trade. What happens next is anyone’s guess.

 

 

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks out onto the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks out onto the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times for football fans. They get to watch their favorite team select a new crop of players that could come in and change the course of the franchise. It’s truly the opportunity for any franchise to turn itself around in a night.

 

Eric Edholm of NFL.com recently made a shocking prediction in his first NFL mock draft. Edholm predicted the Jacksonville Jaguars would take Tyler Warren at pick No. 5 and the Las Vegas Raiders would select Ashton Jeanty at pick No. 6. This leaves Colorado quarterback available for Edholm to project at pick No. 7 to the New York Jets.

 

“I’m not buying the ‘Sanders at No. 1’ talk, and I thought about sliding him down further (to the Steelers?), but then I remembered the Jets don’t really have a QB,” Edholm wrote. “Maybe it doesn’t happen, but this pairing would be … interesting.”

 

This entire mock draft was much different than a lot of the projections, but if Sanders is available when the Jets are on the clock, it’s a no-brainer to select him.

 

Sanders, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has been incredible for his entire college career. In 2024, the 6-foot-2 signal caller threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. He finished his two years at Colorado with 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns, and only 13 interceptions.

 

Mind you, there’s almost no chance Sanders will fall all the way to pick No. 7, but if the draft unfolds the way Edholm projects, the Jets may land their quarterback of the future.

 

New York Jets President, Hymie Elhai, owner, Woody Johnson, general manager, Darren Mougey, head coach, Aaron Glenn and vice chairman, Christopher Johnson, pose for a photograph, Monday, January 27, 2025, in Florham Park.

New York Jets President, Hymie Elhai, owner, Woody Johnson, general manager, Darren Mougey, head coach, Aaron Glenn and vice chairman, Christopher Johnson, pose for a photograph, Monday, January 27, 2025, in Florham Park. / Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

 

The New York Jets are at a critical turning point in their franchise’s history.

 

After a dismal 5-12 season, the Jets brought in a new head coach (Aaron Glenn) and general manager (Darren Mougey) in tandem. The two will be tasked with reshaping the roster, creating a winning culture, and pulling the team out of the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.

 

Further complicating the situation is 40-year-old starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who hasn’t yet determined if he wishes to play this season for the Jets, for another team, or not at all. What Rodgers decides, and whether the Jets wish to retain him anyway, has major ramifications for the direction of the franchise.

 

Say the Jets want to move on completely from Rodgers, though, and select a quarterback at the top of the NFL Draft. Because they have the seventh pick, they’d have to trade up, and the most logical way to control the outcome is to land the number-one pick, which is owned by the Tennessee Titans

 

In a Wednesday article, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon predicted what the Jets would have to surrender to land the Titans’ number-one pick: the number-seven pick in this year’s draft, the Jets’ 2026 first-round pick, plus their 2025 second-round pick

 

“(The Jets) pick seventh and might be fired up to replace Aaron Rodgers, if indeed that experiment ends between now and draft day,” Gagnon wrote.

 

“If so, we’re of course again looking at next year’s first as well as immediate Day 2 draft capital. And in this case, that’d potentially have to outweigh what the Raiders have on the table, as New York would be moving up from seven instead of six.”

 

That’s a lot to give up in any draft class, but this year in particular, it’s an iffy proposition. A quarterback isn’t a lock to go number one at all, and regardless of whether Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is considered the best QB in this class, most believe next year’s signal-callers have more promise.

 

The Jets would be justified to exercise some caution and not sell the farm for the rights to Ward or Sanders. But one never knows how a front office might evaluate college quarterbacks, so maybe Mougey has already begun plotting.

Robert Saleh’s tenure in New York hasn’t spooked at least one team. Saleh has been asked to interview for the Jaguars’ head coach position, the organization said Tuesday. Along with other notable names like Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Saleh is one of eight applicants on the team’s initial list.

As the Packers get ready for their playoff run, which starts Sunday against the second-seeded Eagles, the former Jets coach is assisting them. Many anticipated that Saleh would be a popular candidate for coaching this summer, but he excelled as a defensive coordinator with the 49ers from 2017 to 20 before accepting the position with the Jets.

 

 

 

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is shown after he led Gang Green to a 32-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.

Did Aaron Rodgers play his final game in New York Jets uniform or not? The Green Bay Packers legend, who is not exactly a logical interviewee, refuses to directly answer, leaving his fans to read between the lines.

 

 

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks on the field after the Jets win over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.

Rodgers, a one-time champion and four-time MVP, played one full season with the Jets but they failed to make the playoffs, getting contented to a 5-12 record.

 

They won their last game against the Miami Dolphins but will that be enough for him to stay?

 

I honestly don’t know. If I did I don’t know that I’d tell you

 

 

but truthfully I don’t know. I’m looking forward to those conversations with Woody & Chris & Hymie & Phil & anybody else.

 

Feels good to be able to do some of the things the last 5-6 weeks I know I was capable of doing, even at 41, but either way I won’t be upset or offended, whatever they decide to do. If they want to move on, if I still want to play, & if not, I’ll let them know at some point if that’s the case.

 

 

Dec 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) signs a fan’s helmet before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.

 

If you are a Jets fan and you think Rodgers brought something to the table, the focus should be on him considering staying.

 

A hater, on the other hand, would think he is not committed enough since he won’t end any speculations.

 

Rex Ryan dislikes Aaron Rodgers non-committal

The Jets should pray that Rex Ryan will not return as their head coach.

 

The one-time Super Bowl winner, reportedly among those being interviewed to take the job from Jeff Ulbrich is not sold on the legendary quarterback.

 

 

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan walks off the field after losing to the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Jets 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

First, Ryan confidently answered “No” when asked if the 41-year-old will continue wearing Jets jersey.

 

Then, he went off on the player’s missed trainings as his reasoning why he should not return.

 

“I think you can let a guy walk out the door when he’s not committed to the team,” Ryan said. “Well you can’t tell me that hasn’t been the case. This is a guy that wasn’t at mandatory mini camp, enough said.