3 reasons why Aaron Rodgers has already probably played his last NFL game

At 41, Aaron Rodgers' future is uncertain as owner Woody Johnson places everything in head coach Aaron Glenn's hands—he could return or retire.

3 reasons why Aaron Rodgers has already probably played his last NFL game

Aaron Rodgers can consider retirement (Image via FirstSportz)

On Monday Aaron Glenn finally took over as the New York Jets head coach and provided a stern statement about Aaron Rodgers and his future. Glenn revealed leaving a text for the Super Bowl winner, and he will take care of business collectively with new general manager Darren Mougey.

Glenn is a former Jets defensive back and is well-versed in the culture but aims to leave his mark. He boldly proclaimed that his focus isn’t solely on Rodgers but rather on the entire team. They will get to work after hearing back from him; until then, Glenn and Mougey will be busy evaluating every game from the Jets’ horrible 5-12 season last campaign.

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Owner Woody Johnson has given both of his new employees the power to make the final decision about which player to keep and whom to cut. Rodgers is part of the Russian roulette, but when reporters asked Johnson whether he would want Rodgers back in 2025, the veteran said,

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If they want him back, Aaron’s talented, for sure; he’s a Hall of Famer.

Woody Johnson said

It doesn’t reveal much but definitely paints a picture that if Glenn gives Rodgers a prove-it-year option as the starter, Johnson will not object to it.

This concluded the Jets’ side of things, but what about Rodgers? What does he want? He is the oldest active quarterback and is coming off arguably the worst phase of his NFL career.

If he suddenly announces retirement like Barry Sanders, then hardly anyone will be surprised; rather, a section of the Jets fans might even breathe a sigh of relief because they have been crying out for some new blood at the quarterback spot.

Now the question is, will he retire and just forget about winning a couple more Lombardis? Perhaps he has already had his final game in football.

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Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting younger

As previously mentioned, Aaron Rodgers is the oldest starting quarterback currently in the league. He will be 42, midway through the next season, and only a couple of years younger when Tom Brady hung up his boots. Rodgers’ may be the most accurate quarterback to ever play the game of football with the best touchdown-to-interception percentage, but he only ever won a single Super Bowl compared to Brady’s seven.

3 reasons why Aaron Rodgers has already probably played his last NFL game
Aaron Rodgers (Image via SI)

If Rodgers had at least bagged his second ring during the first two years in New York, then perhaps a push for a third would have been on the cards. However, that window ended while Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stood on the verge of winning his fourth in record time. So, retiring may be a good alternative.

I don’t want to make a decision until I’ve been able to rest mentally and physically … I just need a break to refresh, put my feet in the sand, and see where I’m at after that.

Aaron Rodgers said after the Jets final game of the 2024 season

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, after hearing Rodgers’ statement, highlighted that retirement isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

I would say very firmly up in the air. Listening to Rodgers’ pretty heartfelt words this week sounded like someone who at least is preparing for the possibility that he is playing his last game. I’m not talking about with the [New York] Jets; I’m talking about the plain last game.

Ian Rapoport said

Aaron Rodgers’ team-friendly contract saves Jets from extended harm

Rodgers is due $23.5 million in 2025, the final year of the restructured three-year deal with void years from 2026-29. According to Over The Cap, Rodgers has a cap hit of $31.62 million and a dead cap of $49 million for the 2025 season, but it will only trigger if he retires or is cut post-June 1. The Jets can absorb hits of $14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026.

Transition to a different career

Despite being a polarizing figure, Rodgers is a well-respected individual because of his knowledge of football on the subjects attached to it. The 4x NFL MVP decided to make use of that intellect and agreed to be a weekly contributor to the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.

According to the New York Post, Pat McAfee paid Rodgers $1 million for his appearances in the 2023-24 season when he recovered from an ACL tear. He continued to appear on the show regularly in the 2024-25 season until taking a break in January. If he retires, then perhaps he may sign up for a full-time job or follow former Eagle’s center Jason Kelce’s and HOF Shannon Sharpe’s example and start a podcast.

There’s also the option of joining the politics. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wanted Rodgers to be his running mate for the 2024 United States presidential election until Kennedy picked someone else. It will not be a bad transition.

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There’s another profession that might suit Rodgers’ skillset. Tom Brady signed a 10-year deal with FOX to cover NFL games for them and several others before him, namely Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, and Greg Olsen, have chosen the announcer path as their post-football career.

Whatever Rodgers decides upon, it needs to be quick and before the draft in April. If he distances himself from the Jets or retires, then Glenn and Mougey will have the opportunity to perhaps draft a new quarterback by using their seventh overall pick or even bring back someone like Sam Darnold, who impressed last season with the Vikings. Time is ticking.

Related: Jerry Jones defends his decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer as Dallas Cowboys head coach: “As big a risk you can take”