Despite rumors of backroom dysfunction and speculation that he might be released from the team in 2025, Aaron Rodgers says that his time with the New York Jets has been the "best" of his life, per NFL Insider Ari Meirov.
Speaking with the press ahead of Week 18's matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Rodgers described his tenure with the Jets with "Gratitude, honestly."
"It's been the best two years of my life," Rodgers continued. "And that's a perspective adjustment that happened at some point during the rehab process last year. Just the excitement of falling back in love with the game, getting to know these guys in here, getting to know the great men and women who work here, it's been a lot of fun."
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To say that Rodgers' time with the Jets has been chaotic is something of an understatement.
Before the season began, the Jets were expected to be strong playoff contenders, with many believing Rodgers' return from a season-ending Achilles tear would spark a major comeback.
However, the reality has been quite the opposite. The QB has struggled with inconsistency on the field, and the Jets' offensive line has failed to protect him effectively, further hampering his performance.
Off the field, the situation has been just as chaotic. Rumors have circulated that Rodgers may be sabotaging his chances of staying with the Jets beyond 2024.
Former Jets coach Eric Mangini suggested last month that Rodgers is doing "everything he can to get cut" by team owner Woody Johnson.
Mangini's comments were fueled by Rodgers' remark about Johnson's teenage son, Brick Johnson, during an interview. "I've never been cut by a teenager," Rodgers quipped, a comment Mangini interpreted as a direct jab at the owner and a dig at the dysfunction within the organization.
During an appearance on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers had joked that it would "make for a great story" if it was Johnson's son who ultimately made the decision to cut him. "Being released would be a first. Being released by a teenager would also be a first," Rodgers said, acknowledging the unusual nature of the situation.
As the Jets' 2024 season comes to an end, the future of Rodgers with the team is increasingly uncertain.
He has a no-trade clause, meaning that while the Jets could release him to save money on the salary cap, they cannot trade him without his consent.
Rodgers is signed for a $23.5 million cap hit in 2025, with a $35 million option bonus due before the season. His future with the team will largely depend on how the Jets handle his contract and whether they believe he can be part of a potential turnaround.
Despite all of this, it sounds like Rodgers has still taken his time with the Jets to heart.
"Obviously, on the field has been short of expectations, no doubt," Rodgers concluded. "But this game is more than just that."
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