‘Disastrous’: End to $112m NFL mistake looms as Rodgers’ ‘strained’ relationship revealed

A parting of ways between Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets is considered imminent.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the 40-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback would like to play on next season, but not for the Jets — whose downward spiral this season has seen the dismissals of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.

Rodgers, whose 3-8 Jets are tied with New England for last place in the AFC East, has reportedly had a ‘strained’ relationship with owner Woody Johnson for multiple months.

Russini said in her report: “It appears increasingly likely that the four-time MVP, who is banged up, could be placed on injured reserve or even benched in the coming weeks, signalling the end of his disastrous time with the Jets.”

Russini came to the conclusion Rodgers ‘still wants to play’ in the NFL in 2025, but not with New York.

“Without Joe Douglas (and) without Robert Saleh there — the two men largely responsible for bringing him from Green Bay to New York — now, his future is even more in question (in terms of) whether or not he will be back in New York,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said of the situation.

“First, Aaron Rodgers will have to answer whether he wants to play, whether he wants to play for the New York Jets, and clearly, with that organisation taking on a whole new direction right now, there is every possibility that Rodgers will be moving on — whether that’s to another team or another line of work.”

The former Green Bay Packers legend’s 2,442 passing yards this year sits 11th in the league, while his QBR of 50.9 ranks a lowly 25th among qualified players. He has thrown 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games.

The 20-year veteran signal-caller signed a three-year, $112.5 million contract with the Jets ahead of the 2023 season, having arrived in New York in April of that year as a marquee trade addition.

However, a season-ending Achilles injury in his Jets debut in Week 1 delayed what the franchise’s stakeholders hoped would be a return to winning relevance.

Instead, despite Rodgers’ availability this season, the Jets have again disenfranchised fans with poor play and an apparent absence of in-house alignment.

The Jets remain plagued by a 14-year playoff drought; the longest in the major North American professional sports leagues.