Future of Aaron Rodgers and Jets Next Coach Up in the Air
The New York Jets 2024 season ended Sunday almost the same way it started, with lots of flash, and nothing but questions and confusion afterward. The Jets won their season finale 32-20 over the Miami Dolphins, and Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns, which gave the Hall of Famer 502 touchdown passes in his career, in what could be his final game with Gang Green; perhaps even as a pro football player.
But, the aura of ‘what’s next’ hung over MetLife Stadium like a thick fog.
Questions abound about the future of Rodgers, who could either retire or opt to return in 2025. And should he choose to play again next season, it likely won’t be in New York.
Questions also abound about who will coach the team, and who will be the General Manager of the team moving forward.
With each touchdown that Rodgers threw, his smile grew wider, and one could see in his eyes and the eyes of his teammates they were all very reflective. They were enjoying the moment together in a lost season.
At the end of the contest Rodgers gave a heartfelt interview with Fox’s Pam Oliver, and sounded like a man becoming comfortable with the idea that Sunday’s game could be the end.
“I am going to get home and relax and clear my head. I got a lot of gratitude tonight. Once I get back out west I am going to take my time. I will talk to the Jets to see what they are thinking and then we’ll make a decision before going into the offseason,” Rodgers said.
When asked later by reporters if he’d be willing to play next year, even if it were somewhere else, Rodgers danced around the question before saying ‘yes.’
Still, his teammates would love to see him back in Green and White next season. Many spoke about his leadership in the locker room after the game had ended, others like Jermaine Johnson put out tweets expressing the teams’ admiration for Rodgers as a teammate.
Woody Johnson
Woody Johnson ultimately will be the final say on Rodgers returning to the Jets or not. It was reported last month that a rift existed between Rodgers and the Jets owner. Johnson tried to extinguish those reports in an exclusive with the New York Post, and even delivered a bizarre rant following the game in which he explained how disappointed he was in the season.
COACHING SEARCH
The Jets coaching search is well underway. According to multiple reports the Jets have a lot of feelers out to different candidates including Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn; former Jets coach Rex Ryan; Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith; Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy; 49ers QB coach Brian Griese; Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, and Vikings QB coach Josh McCown to name a few.
The Jets are also looking to interview Chiefs Assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and former Colts GM Ryan Grigson for their vacant General Manager spot.
The Jets’ search for a new coach did take a hit on Sunday when the New England Patriots fired their coach Jerod Mayo, paving a clear path for New England to reunite with former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was believed to be eyeing the Patriots all along, the team he played for and won three Super Bowl’s with.
