Shortly after New York Jets owner Woody Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas during the club's bye week, it was reported that the Jets do "prefer a change at quarterback" following this season, even though it was previously said New York was "planning" to bring Aaron Rodgers back for another campaign.
More signs emerged before the weekend suggesting the Rodgers-Jets marriage will end during the upcoming offseason.
As shared by Bleacher Report's Adam Wells, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic said during the latest edition of the "Scoop City" podcast that the Jets have been "tiptoeing around the fact" that Rodgers "is not good anymore." Additionally, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported on Friday morning that "the Jets aren’t expected to pursue" current Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, assuming McCarthy becomes available following the campaign.
Rodgers played under McCarthy when both were with the Green Bay Packers from 2006 through 2018. The future Hall of Famer, who turns 41 next month, recently spoke about his "love" for McCarthy.
Rodgers hasn't been what he was during his best days with the Packers, coming off the torn Achilles he suffered in September 2023, but it may be a bit harsh to say he hasn't been a serviceable quarterback this season. According to ESPN stats, Rodgers began Friday ranked 21st in the NFL among qualified players with an 88.9 passer rating and tied for seventh with 17 touchdowns through the air on the campaign. However, the Jets are 26th, with an average of 18.5 points scored per game.
Following Robert Saleh's in-season firing, the Jets will have a new GM and head coach when the next league year opens in March 2025. Suppose the Jets truly won't consider hiring McCarthy in January. In that case, logic suggests a front office and coaching staff with no direct ties to Rodgers will want to pick a younger quarterback who will bring less baggage into the team facility during springtime workouts.
The Jets can afford to move on from Rodgers if he doesn't retire early into the offseason. At this point, both parties may welcome backup Tyrod Taylor taking over as New York's QB1 for the home game against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 1.
