When the Green Bay Packers made the decision to trade Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets following their disappointing 2022 season, they were met with a great deal of criticism from the national media, opposing fans, and their own fan base. After all, Jordan Love was not a proven NFL quarterback and the one game he did start in 2021 left a lot to be desired.
But the Packers had used their 2020 first round pick on Love with the intention that he would, one day, replace the future Pro Football Hall of Famer. Despite the fact that Rodgers won the NFL MVP Award in 2020 and 2021, everyone knew his days in Green Bay were numbered.
The Green Bay Packers Decided to Trade Aaron Rodgers Following the 2022 NFL Season
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As mentioned previously, the 2022 season was disappointing for the Packers. After winning 13 games in each of their previous three seasons, Green Bay went 8-9 that year while Rodgers had the worst season of his career to that date. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while posting a passer rating of 91.1.
While those numbers are not bad, per say, for an NFL quarterback, they were far below the standard that Rodgers set for himself with his incredible play over the last 14 previous seasons.
When general manager Brian Gutekunst tried to get a hold of his franchise quarterback during the offseason to discuss their future, he could not get a hold of him. Later, Rodgers blamed it on the poor cell reception he has at his house and said that Gutekunst should have just Face Timed him.
Regardless, his decline in production and his poor relationship with the front office led to both parties deciding that their time together was at an end. While the star quarterback was obviously bitter towards Gutekunst, he spoke highly of the organization as a whole. And for their part, the Packers traded him to his preferred destination: the Jets.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers May Not Finish 2024 with the Jets
When the trade first happened, many believed the Packers were entering a long rebuild while the Jets were taking the next step towards Super Bowl contention. Those who thought this way were wrong on both counts.
Love led the Packers to a 9-8 record and the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs, and even propelled Green Bay to an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
Rodgers, as everyone knows, lasted four snaps in 2023 before suffering a torn Achilles. New York finished 7-10, frustrated by yet another losing season.
But for New York, 2024 was sure to be different. Rodgers was back and healthy, and they had a slew of high-profile free agents and draft picks ready to support him and help them end their 13-year postseason draught.
It has been far from a successful season, however.
After a 2-3 start, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh, who has since joined Matt LaFleur’s staff in Green Bay as an advisor. After going just 1-5 since the firing, New York also parted ways with general manager Joe Douglas.
For his part, Rodgers is having an even worse season than he did in 2022, his final year with Green Bay. He currently has a 63.4% completion percentage, 2,442 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a career-low 88.9 passer rating.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Rodgers still wants to play in 2025, when he will be 42 years old, despite the poor season he is having. He just does not want to play for New York.
And according to that same report, the Jets may not want him to even finish the current season:
As the Jets commence with another organizational shift, it will likely be without Aaron Rodgers.
Some around the league wouldn’t be surprised to see him cut before the season is over. Will they?
My insider column:https://t.co/PO3Mq7YjAL
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 23, 2024
Where Rodgers could play in 2025 is anyone’s guess. He likely will not want to be part of a rebuild, but not many contending teams need a quarterback, especially one who is as demanding and controversial as Rodgers.
But the notion that his being cut yet in 2024 is a testament to how far his career has fallen. While he provided Packers fans with countless great memories, though, he has not done so for the Jets and their fans.
The NFL is a cruel business.
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