Aaron Rodgers said earlier this month that he intends to continue his playing career next season, but the New York Jets quarterback no longer sounds certain of that.
Rodgers addressed some of the rampant speculation about his future during his Tuesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” The former MVP said any talk of him wanting to play for a team other than the Jets is false. Though, Rodgers made it sound like retirement is now an option.
“As far as my future goes, I haven’t told anybody in my life that I want to play in 2025 and not on the Jets,” Rodgers said. “So, that’s 100 percent false. I actually said the opposite. I said that I’m gonna wait and see what happens at the end of the season and if they want me back and what happens with (interim coach Jeff Ulbrich) and what happens with the offensive staff and obviously the GM at the time. Then they just fired Joe (Douglas).”
Rodgers added that he has enjoyed his time in New York and called the Jets “my first option” if he does decide to play next season.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know the fans, and I came here to win here. So I’m not jumping off ship and like, ‘Oh, I definitely want to play and not in New York,'” Rodgers said. “I don’t even know if I want to play yet, but New York will be my first option.”
"I haven't told anybody in my life that I wanna play in 2025 and not on the Jets..
That's 100% false and I actually said the opposite..
I don't even know if I wanna play yet but New York would be my first option" @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/lghJ5Sf5sK pic.twitter.com/lMT10ENU0F
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 26, 2024
There have been numerous reports that the Jets do not want Rodgers back next season. It is possible that Rodgers initially said he wanted to play in 2025 because he thought he would be able to remain in New York. If that is not an option, he may decide he does not want to start all over again with a new team.
Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions this season. He will turn 41 next month and is nowhere near as mobile as he was prior to tearing his Achilles last season. Even if new injuries have been a factor in his below-average play, there is no guarantee teams will even have interest in him as a starter next year.
