It finally happened. The New York Jets officially moved on. After months of speculation that felt more like a soap opera than a football season, the news broke on Wednesday that Aaron Rodgers has been released.
Honestly, it’s the end of an era that never really started. We all remember that electric atmosphere at MetLife Stadium in 2023—the flags, the flashing lights, the hope. Then came four snaps, a torn Achilles, and a slow, painful slide into what we saw over the last year. By the time Wednesday afternoon rolled around, the release felt less like a shock and more like a mutual sigh of relief for a franchise that desperately needs to find its soul again.
Why Aaron Rodgers Will Be Released by the Jets on Wednesday
If you're looking for one specific reason, you won't find it. It's a mess of money, age, and a locker room that just looked tired of the circus. The Jets are designating this as a post-June 1 release. This is a massive detail because it allows the front office to spread out the financial hit.
Instead of swallowing a giant $49 million pill all at once, they’re splitting it. They’ll carry a $21 million cap hit until June, then it drops to $14 million. But the real kicker? They’re going to absorb a **$35 million dead cap hit in 2026**.
That is a staggering amount of money to pay someone to not play for you.
General Manager Darren Mougey and Head Coach Aaron Glenn aren't just looking at 2025. They’re trying to scrub the books. If they had kept Rodgers for one more season, that dead cap number would have ballooned to something like $63 million. You can't build a team with that kind of weight around your neck. Basically, the Jets decided to take the "L" now so they aren't still paying for the Rodgers experiment when the next presidential election rolls around.
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The Performance Decline Nobody Wants to Admit
We can talk about the money all day, but if Rodgers was still playing like an MVP, he’d still be in green and white. He wasn't.
In 2024, his numbers were... fine. On paper. 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns looks like a decent season for most humans. But for Aaron Rodgers? It was different. He ranked near the bottom of the league in Completion Percentage Over Expected (CPOE). He was 31st in completion percentage. He looked immobile. Every time a defender got close, Jets fans held their breath.
He was essentially a statue back there, and while his brain is still elite, his body just couldn't keep up with the speed of the modern NFL defense.
The Pittsburgh Connection and the "Subtle" Shade
The weirdest part of this whole saga is how it ended. Rodgers didn't just fade away; he went to Pittsburgh. He led the Steelers to a 10-7 record and a division title, proving he could still "spin it" in the right environment.
But then came the Wild Card loss to Houston.
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After that 30-6 thumping, Rodgers went on a bit of a media tour. He gushed about Green Bay. He gushed about Pittsburgh. He called them "special places." Notice anyone missing? Yeah, the Jets. He completely omitted them from his "thank you" list. It was a classic Rodgers move—passive-aggressive, calculated, and loud.
It’s clear the relationship didn't just break; it shattered. Reports from inside Florham Park suggested that Rodgers and the New York brass weren't on the same page about anything—from the offensive scheme (which he helped build) to the long-term vision of the team.
What This Means for the Jets' Future
The Jets are now in a "quarterback wilderness" again. It's a familiar place for them, but this time it feels more desperate. With Oregon’s Dante Moore deciding to stay in college for 2026, the draft board looks pretty thin.
The team currently has:
- Tyrod Taylor (The reliable veteran)
- Jordan Travis (The young project coming off injury)
- Adrian Martinez (The futures contract flyer)
None of those names make you think "Super Bowl."
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The real tragedy of the Rodgers era in New York isn't just the losing; it's the wasted years of a generational defense. Guys like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams are in their prime right now. They can't wait for a three-year rebuild. By releasing Rodgers on Wednesday, the Jets are admitting that the "all-in" window has slammed shut.
A Career at a Crossroads
At 42, Rodgers is hinting at retirement, but he also says he has "options." With Mike Tomlin stepping down in Pittsburgh, that bridge might be burned too.
Maybe he goes to the Raiders to reunite with Davante Adams (again). Maybe he finally calls it a career and moves into a full-time role as a podcast regular. Whatever happens, the Wednesday release marks the official death of the most hyped trade in New York sports history. It was a gamble that most people thought was worth taking at the time. It just didn't pay off.
Your Next Steps:
If you're a Jets fan, keep a close eye on the post-June 1 transaction wire to see how the team uses that $7 million in immediate cap savings. Also, watch the veteran market—names like Sam Darnold or even a trade for a younger backup could be in the cards as the Jets scramble to find a bridge starter for 2025.