Aaron Rodgers first walked by way of the doorways of the New York Jets facility almost two years in the past, hailed as a possible savior for a pissed off franchise.
Not a lot has modified since then. Especially all of the defeats.
Now, one of many sport’s best quarterbacks could go away the Jets simply as he discovered them: with a lone Super Bowl trophy of their fundamental foyer due to their solely title (1969) and a playoff drought that reached a season-worst 14 of the NFL.
“I put my coronary heart into it, and I wished it so dangerous — and it did not work out this 12 months,” Rodgers mentioned after the Jets’ season-ending win over the Dolphins on Sunday left them with a 5-12 report. “We fell brief and I performed 4 reveals final 12 months. So general, it is disappointing.”
The 41-year-old quarterback’s debut final season, after a lot preseason fanfare, was lower brief by a torn Achilles tendon. He has began all 17 video games this season, however his play, together with that of a lot of the group, has been up and down, particularly whereas coping with another nagging leg accidents.
Owner Woody Johnson and his workers are already in search of a brand new common supervisor and head coach after Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh had been fired throughout the season. The new regime will instantly face an vital query: what to do with Rodgers?
The four-time MVP has one 12 months of non-guaranteed cash left on his contract. But he can be due a $35 million choice bonus earlier than the beginning of the common season and would rely $23.5 million towards the wage cap. If Rodgers is lower or retires, the Jets might take in a $49 million cost subsequent 12 months, except they designate it as a lower after June 1 and may unfold that cost over two years.
Aaron Rodgers talks Jets future after dominant win over Dolphins | NFL on FOX
Even Rodgers, the fifth participant in NFL historical past to throw 500 landing passes within the common season, is not positive he desires to proceed taking part in, saying it should take a while within the offseason to determine that out.
“There’s clearly quite a lot of hypothesis right here,” Rodgers mentioned. “If I need to play, hypothetical No. 1. If they need to transfer on, hypothetical No. 2. I’d be keen to play for an additional group, hypothetical No. 3.”
And then with a smile, Rodgers added, “The reply is sure.”
His season will statistically go down as the most effective in franchise historical past: his 28 landing passes and three,897 yards are each third-best in group single-season performances. But there weren’t sufficient massive performs, consistency or wins.
“Whether I’m again or whether or not it is the blokes they’ve or new guys or no matter, the main focus needs to be how can I, the participant, be a part of the answer, not the issue?” Rodgers mentioned. “And I’ve quite a lot of love for this group and I hope it will get modified. If I’m part of it, I’ll do all the things in my energy to show it round.”
After Sunday’s sport, FOX Sports’ Greg Olsen and Joe Davis mentioned the New York Jets’ dominant win and Aaron Rodgers’ future as he enters his offseason.
Both Olsen and Davis agreed that the historic win for Rodgers can be an effective way for him to finish his profession and that going out on some kind of excessive can be on his “phrases.”
“Putting collectively a four-touchdown efficiency, having a smile on his face, working round, making performs off-script, off-rhythm — that is been the magic of Aaron Rodgers for the final 20 years,” Olsen started.
“It’s so onerous to imagine that model of Rodgers, that, that is the tip… whether it is, extra energy to him. But there’s soccer left in that arm and there is soccer left in these toes.” , concluded Olsen.
Greg Olsen and Joe Davis focus on the Jets’ win and Aaron Rodgers’ future
Let’s discuss
The Jets have already interviewed Mike Vrabel and Ron Rivera for his or her head teaching emptiness and plan to talk this week with Rex Ryan – who led New York to consecutive AFC championship sport appearances throughout the 2009 and 2010 seasons – and with interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who completed 3-9 after changing Saleh.
That record will certainly develop within the coming days as New York requests to talk with coaches from different groups. The similar goes for the GM gig, for which the Jets have already spoken to Thomas Dimitroff, Jon Robinson, Jim Nagy and Louis Riddick.
Adams and A-Rod
One participant whose Jets future is tied to Rodgers is vast receiver Davante Adams, acquired from Las Vegas in October.
Adams, good associates with Rodgers from their eight seasons collectively in Green Bay, mentioned Monday that this season has been a “whirlwind” for him, and he is undecided what his subsequent step can be. The 32-year-old is projected to earn $35.64 million in every of the subsequent two years.
The Jets might ask Adams to re-sign his deal, or he could possibly be launched within the subsequent few months. But he acknowledged that what Rodgers does will “undoubtedly” be a think about his determination, saying he “probably” might return even when the quarterback is not.
Constituent components
New York has a number of younger gamers who’re anticipated to be key components of the longer term, together with cornerback Sauce Gardner, vast receiver Garrett Wilson, working again Breece Hall and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who’re all eligible for extensions this offseason.
Gardner, an All-Pro his first two seasons, has been strong however not as constant this season. The similar goes for Hall, whose manufacturing is down from final season. Wilson joined Brandon Marshall as the one gamers in franchise historical past with a minimum of 100 receptions in a season, however was pissed off together with his utilization in key late-season moments. Johnson, a Pro Bowl choose final season, is coming off a torn Achilles tendon that restricted him to 2 video games.
Next steps
Several gamers who performed vital snaps this season are potential free brokers this offseason. That contains linebacker Jamien Sherwood, who led the Jets in tackles and was voted the group’s MVP after taking on for the injured C.J. Mosley. Tight finish Tyler Conklin, cornerback DJ Reed, proper sort out Morgan Moses, edge rusher Haason Reddick, left sort out Tyron Smith, security Chuck Clark and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas are all amongst those that might go away in free company.
Associated Press reporting.
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