Aaron Rodgers and the Brutal Reality of the Jets’ $160M Replacement Idea

Commentators Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold of Sky Sports have not held back on the faltering New York Jets, pointing out the “stench” around the club.

After losing their less-than-impressive 2024-25 season record to 3-8 during a narrow last-gasp loss by 28-27 on Sunday, the pair had a lot to say about quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his underwhelming performance with the squad.
Reynolds noted in the wake of the game, “We can start to reflect on Aaron Rodgers,” pointing out concerns like Rodgers’s minimal snaps due to of his doing but rather of indicative of bigger problems. “Here we are right now, Aaron Rodgers experimenting. He’s looking terrific to them. Aaron Rodgers has missed the season and tore his Achilles in the time since he signed. They sacked their head coach, and right now they are 3-8.”

Particularly so soon after Aaron Rodgers committed himself to the New York Jets, it seems like his future with the franchise is precociously fragile. The Jets also seemed to have missed their opportunity to replace Harrison Butker from the Kansas City Chiefs, shattering hopes of regeneration.

After recovering from an Achilles tear that sidelined Rodgers almost all last season, he has only played 11 games this year. Not surpassing 300 throwing yards in any one game, the 40-year-old managed to complete 241-of-380 passes for 2,442 yards, amass 17 touchdowns and suffer seven interceptions over these games.

As their season runs off course, the top brass of the Jets has been making some snap decisions. Following a loss to the Minnesota Vikings last month, they bid farewell to head coach Robert Saleh, grabbed Aaron Rodgers’ favourite receiver Davante Adams in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and took play-calling away from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Reinebold noted, though, that these upheavals have failed to bring about any recovery.
“That team smells bad,” he observed. “Changing the head coach made no difference. Aaron Rodgers just declared he wants to return for another year. If you are a Jets fan, is that truly what you want? Track us on X for all the newest and best sports news.

Rodgers is obviously eager to play in the NFL next season, but Reynolds doubts whether the Jets are really ready to welcome him once more. “Well, certainly, that’s a choice they have to make, particularly if they’re selecting high in the draft,” he said.

“A young quarterback may pique their interests. Rodgers is not going to be that quarterback’s guru. Though Rodgers stayed close, he would be on his own learning. Thus, indeed, not favorable for the Jets.”

“Just a thought, but what if the Jets move on from [ Aaron] Rodgers this summer, picked a QB in Rd 1, and signed Daniel Jones to a bridge deal? Athlon Sports’ commentator Nick Faria has thrown a hypothetical curveball into the equation. Although NY supporters may have their heads burst, it’s an interesting possibility if the Jets continue losing as well,” he said.

With two years remaining on his $160 million contract, Jones faces an uncertain future despite being benched for Tommy DeVito prior of the Giants’ Week 12 game against the Buccaneers; should they decide to remove him this offseason, New York risks a $22 million salary charge.