New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers considers ‘being released by a teenager’ | Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is still considering his playing future. The star quarterback knows that if he returns to the field, whether it’s with the New York Jets could be out of his hands.

The 41-year-old Rodgers said last week that he will take some time after this season, his 20th in the NFL, to decide what he wants to do next. On Monday, he suggested that a decision on whether to return with the Jets could be made for him the day after the team’s regular-season finale.

“I think there’s a world where they just say, ‘Hey, thanks, we’re going in a different direction’ on Jan. 6,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

“It’s a possibility,” he added. “I think there is also a possibility that we will wait and see who the new staff is.”

The Jets have begun the process of searching for a general manager after Joe Douglas was fired last month. They are also looking for a new coach after Robert Saleh was fired on Oct. 8 and replaced by defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on an interim basis.

New York is 4-11 this season and will miss the playoffs for the 14th straight year, the longest active drought in the NFL. A major decision for owner Woody Johnson and the franchise will be whether to keep Rodgers — he is under contract for next season — or part ways with the quarterback and make the new regime start fresh.

Rodgers has said his first preference, if he decides to continue playing, would be to do so with the Jets, and he reiterated Monday that he would be willing to take a pay cut to mentor a young quarterback, if the team prepares one. But it’s unclear whether Johnson shares the sentiment of wanting Rodgers back.

In a story published last week by the Athletic, anonymous sources described a level of dysfunction within the franchise. It included claims that Johnson is influenced by his teenage sons Brick and Jack.

“Getting released would be the first,” Rodgers said. “To be released by a teenager, that would also be a first.”

He laughed at the thought, clearly referring to the Athletics report.

“Hey, I’m open to anything and I’ll find the comedy in it all,” Rodgers added. “If that happens, hey, that’s a great story.”

Rodgers was acquired from Green Bay during the 2023 offseason, but his debut with New York lasted just four snaps because he tore his left Achilles tendon. He returned for this season’s opener, but battled knee, ankle and hamstring injuries and has been mostly inconsistent.

Rodgers threw his 499th regular-season touchdown pass in the Jets’ 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, one away from joining Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre as the only players to reach 500. He has 24 TD passes and eight interceptions this season.

But the Jets have struggled this season, even with Rodgers under center. During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, he suggested that leaks in the organization could affect the team’s performance.

“Once that’s figured out, it makes winning a little bit easier,” Rodgers said. “I mean, it doesn’t have a direct impact on the players on the field, but it has an impact on the culture and the chemistry and the overall energy in the building. And that is what needs to get better.”