It feels like a lifetime ago when Aaron Rodgers jogged onto the field at MetLife Stadium carrying an American flag. The hype was deafening. But by the time the 2024 season wound down, the conversation shifted from Super Bowl dreams to a much more awkward question: did Aaron Rodgers get benched?
The short answer is yes, but it’s more complicated than a coach just losing faith. It happened on December 29, 2024, in the middle of a miserable 40-14 blowout against the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers didn't just get sent to the sidelines; he basically suggested it himself.
Sitting on the bench with the score at 33-0, Rodgers looked at interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and essentially called his own number—or rather, called for Tyrod Taylor to take over. It was a mercy killing for a game that had gone completely off the rails.
The Buffalo Breakdown: Why Rodgers Hit the Bench
The game against the Bills was a disaster from the opening whistle. Rodgers went 12-for-18 for a measly 112 yards. He threw two interceptions. He even got sacked for a safety. For a guy with four MVP trophies, it was a rock-bottom moment.
When Tyrod Taylor stepped in, the offense actually moved. Taylor threw two touchdowns in garbage time, making the final score look slightly less embarrassing than it actually was.
But looking back, that benching wasn't just about one bad game in Buffalo. It was the culmination of a season where the wheels didn't just fall off; they disintegrated. Rodgers was 41 years old, coming off a shredded Achilles, and playing behind an offensive line that offered about as much protection as a wet paper towel.
- Passing Yards: 3,897 (3rd best in Jets history, strangely enough)
- Touchdowns: 28
- Interceptions: 11
- Team Record: 5-12
Despite the decent "on paper" stats, the "eye test" was brutal. He looked slow. He was hesitant. The connection with anyone not named Garrett Wilson or Allen Lazard was non-existent.
Rumors of a Mid-Season Hook
While the official "benching" happened in Week 17, the rumors started much earlier. Reports surfaced later that Jets owner Woody Johnson had actually discussed benching Rodgers as early as Week 4.
Think about that.
The owner of the team was already looking for the "exit" sign before the leaves even turned colors. There was a massive disconnect between the front office, the coaching staff, and the quarterback. When Robert Saleh was fired in October 2024, the power vacuum was filled with finger-pointing.
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Rodgers reportedly resisted injury testing during the season because he was afraid the team would use a "nagging hammy" as an excuse to sit him down. He wanted to prove he could play all 17 games after the 2023 disaster. He technically did it, but at what cost?
The Tyrod Taylor Factor
Whenever a superstar struggles, the backup becomes the most popular guy in town. Tyrod Taylor is a "safe" veteran. He’s elusive. He doesn't turn the ball over much.
When Taylor came in during that Week 17 Bills game, he finished with a 131.0 passer rating. Fans were screaming for him to start the finale. Jeff Ulbrich stuck with Rodgers for the last game against Miami, but the damage was done. The "invincibility" of Aaron Rodgers in New York was officially dead.
The Cleanup Crew
By February 2025, the Jets didn't just bench Rodgers—they showed him the door. The team hired Aaron Glenn as head coach and Darren Mougey as GM. Their first order of business? Meeting with Rodgers to tell him they were "moving in a different direction."
It was a polite way of saying "thanks, but no thanks."
Life After the Bench: The Pittsburgh Resurrection
If you’re wondering what happened next, it’s one of those "only in the NFL" stories. After the Jets cut him, Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season.
He didn't just play; he thrived.
Under Mike Tomlin, Rodgers threw 24 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. He led the Steelers to an AFC North title. It made the Jets' situation look even more dysfunctional. Was it the coaching? The turf? The "New York" pressure? Probably all of the above.
What We Learned from the Rodgers Era
If you’re looking for the takeaway here, it’s that even legends have an expiration date in specific environments. Rodgers getting benched in New York wasn't just about his arm strength. It was about a toxic culture and a roster that wasn't ready for the "all-in" stakes he required.
Next Steps for Jets Fans:
- Keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft. With Rodgers gone and the team resetting, the search for a franchise QB starts (again).
- Watch the Steelers' offseason. Now that Rodgers is a free agent again at 42, his decision to retire or play one more year will shake up the AFC.
- Don't buy into the "vintage" hype next time a 40-year-old QB changes teams unless the offensive line is elite.
The Rodgers experiment in New York is a cautionary tale. It started with a laser light show and ended with a quiet conversation on a cold sideline in Buffalo.