FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, mired in one of many worst statistical seasons of his legendary profession, desires to play in 2025.
“I believe so, yeah,” he stated Wednesday, 19 days shy of his forty first birthday.
It wasn’t a powerful sure, maybe as a result of he is aware of that organizational modifications within the offseason might influence his choice.
Rodgers, who stated final offseason that he hopes to play “two or three or 4 extra years,” indicated the workforce’s disappointing season (3-7) hasn’t modified his emotions.
“Probably not, not for the adverse,” he stated. “Probably not, no.”
Rodgers, getting back from Achilles surgical procedure, has battled hamstring, knee and ankle accidents, however he hasn’t missed any snaps due to damage. The four-time MVP, nonetheless, hasn’t performed as much as his ordinary degree. He is ranked twenty fourth out of 32 certified passers in Whole QBR (52.0), with 15 landing passes, 7 interceptions and a career-low 6.4 yards per try.
“I am not enjoying in addition to I might’ve appreciated to play, for positive,” he stated. “The wonder on this sport is it is a workforce sport. The irritating half is that if you happen to’re a fantastic competitor, you maintain your self to an ordinary that is not unrealistic, and I have never reached that customary this yr.”
Rodgers is underneath contract for 2025, however none of his compensation is assured at this level. To convey him again, the Jets must train a $35 million choice bonus. He additionally has a $2.5 million base wage. His cap cost can be a manageable $23.5 million.
Rodgers expressed optimism, saying “the decision remains to be not out on this season but.” The Jets, coming off a 31-6 drubbing by the Arizona Cardinals, face the Indianapolis Colts (4-6) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
The Jets are 1-4 since firing Robert Saleh and changing him with Jeff Ulbrich as interim coach. Ulbrich, who doubles because the defensive coordinator, obtained a powerful endorsement from Rodgers.
“I really feel like he is accomplished some actually good issues,” Rodgers stated. “I believe Brick is an NFL head coach, whether or not it is right here shifting ahead or down the road. I imply, he is a pacesetter of males and I am going to stand by him. I might like to play for him till the tip. So have plenty of love and respect for him.”
Rodgers delivered an identical vote of confidence for Saleh late final season, and it carried plenty of weight with possession, which retained Saleh after a second straight 7-10 end. A part of the pondering was that the workforce, with a wholesome Rodgers, would rebound strongly. That hasn’t occurred, and now there may very well be a brand new coach and common supervisor in 2025.
Rodgers, 3-7 for the primary time in his 20-year profession, has been “100% supportive of this complete workers and this complete workforce in getting this factor mounted,” stated Ulbrich, including that Rodgers suggests “little tweaks right here and there” about sport planning and scheduling.
Ulbrich is taking a back-to-basics method this week, calling for full-pads practices to enhance the Jets’ shoddy tackling. They missed 20 tackles in opposition to the Cardinals, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats. He performed a tackling presentation for the complete workforce on Wednesday, not simply the protection.
He additionally made a change within the defensive lineup, benching security Tony Adams this week, a supply stated. It is a shocking transfer, contemplating Adams — a two-year starter — is the Jets’ third-leading tackler.
“We’ll get again to fundamentals and fundamentals,” Ulbrich stated, including, “That’s one thing we are able to enhance, and we’ll enhance.” Rodgers applauded the method.
“It is a wake-up name for all of us,” he stated. “Anytime you lose typically, however whenever you lose the way in which we have misplaced this yr, I believe you must examine the method … and if it isn’t ensuing within the efficiency that you really want — and that is for all of us, myself included — then you must make alterations.”
