Jets’ Aaron Rodgers says his next game could be his last

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 41, admitted in remarks to reporters Wednesday he could retire after the season finale.

After a reporter asked him whether Sunday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins could be his last in the NFL, Rodgers said, “Yeah, of course.”

“This game has given me a lot. I’ve given a lot back to it, and I’m thankful for it. I won’t be thinking about that on game day. I’ll just be enjoying this. I’m trying to stay in the moment, but, of course, it’s been a long career,” he added.

The quarterback was traded to the New York Jets by his first team, the Green Bay Packers, in April 2023. His campaign that year was cut short just four snaps into the first game when his Achilles’ heel was injured during a sack, and his 2024 season hasn’t produced success.

While Rodgers has started every game, the Jets have gone 4-12. The firing of head coach Robert Saleh after they started 2-3 failed to produce a turnaround, with the team going 2-9 under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. Rodgers has thrown 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Rodgers took a positive tone with reporters Wednesday when asked about his tenure on the Jets.

“I mean gratitude, honestly; it’s been the best two years of my life, and that’s a perspective adjustment that happened I think at some point during the rehab process last year, but just the excitement, falling back in love with the game, getting to know these guys. …  Obviously, on the field, it’s been short of expectations no doubt, but this game is more than just that,” Rodgers said.

The quarterback acknowledged that if the Jets make changes in the offseason he could be part of that. But he added he’s “just more resigned to the reality of the situation.”

While the Jets have been out of the playoff picture since Week 14, Rodgers could set personal milestones in Sunday’s game. 

At 499 regular-season touchdowns, he needs only one more to become the fifth player with 500. At 62,678 passing yards, he needs 115 to pass former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to have the seventh most of all time.

Rodgers was drafted 24th in 2005 by the Packers, becoming their starter and replacing Brett Favre in 2008. Rodgers won his only NFL title in the 2010 season, being named Super Bowl MVP for his effort in beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rodgers was a four-time league MVP with the Packers in 2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021.