New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is pictured before an NFL matchup against the Miami Dolphins on January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Seth Wenig/AP

The New York Jets have officially communicated to quarterback Aaron Rodgers that he will not be returning for the next season.

Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, who joined the organization earlier this year, revealed on Thursday that they informed Rodgers in a recent meeting that they intend to “move in a different direction.”

“Having this conversation now was crucial for providing clarity and allowing each of us the adequate time to plan for our respective futures,” Glenn and Mougey stated. “We sincerely thank him for the leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment he displayed while with the team and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Several factors might clarify why Rodgers’ time with the Jets didn’t go as planned.

Back-to-back subpar seasons

When Rodgers joined the struggling New York franchise two seasons ago, it sparked hopes for a revival. However, those expectations quickly vanished during his debut, where he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. After recovering from that injury, he returned but was not at peak performance.

Rodgers concluded this past season with 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, marking one of the top three single-season performances in the franchise’s history. However, when examined closely, those impressive statistics don’t fully capture the reality of his time with the Jets, as the team ended the season with a disappointing 5-12 record.

Comparatively, we are far from the days of Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, where he achieved the highest career passer rating in NFL history and led his former team to a Super Bowl title, earning the MVP award in the process.

Repeated controversies

The recently departed quarterback has been no stranger to controversy. Off the field, he has garnered attention for openly discussing his contentious views, including his stance against COVID-19 vaccinations.

Rodgers frequently made headlines for promoting conspiracy theories in his segments on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.” He once claimed that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was linked to Jeffrey Epstein, leading the network to retract his comments following a legal threat from Kimmel.

Additionally, his failure to meet team commitments raised concerns. Last summer, he missed several minicamp sessions for a vacation in Egypt, resulting in a fine of over $50,000 from the team for his “unexcused” absence.

The Jets’ leadership reportedly sought to limit Rodgers’ media appearances and increase his focus on the team. The Athletic reported that he was presented with conditions he must adhere to for remaining with the team in 2025, which included a ban on making outside media appearances, including his regular segments on the McAfee show.

An increasing number of fans have voiced that his polarizing views, combined with his subpar performances, justify letting him go.

“He’s a far-right nut, and I don’t support those views,” stated Seth Sherman from Flushing, New York, in an interview with Gothamist following the Jets season.

Rodgers is also known for his clashes with team management. He previously had a power struggle with his coach at the Packers and has subtly indicated his dissatisfaction with Jets’ owner Woody Johnson.

In light of this, Glenn and Mougey might be looking for a new start.

NPR has reached out to Rodgers’ representatives for comments regarding his exit. Just last month, when asked about his future with the Jets, Rodgers mentioned that discussions about his decision would involve the new coach, the general manager, and himself.