With Darren Mougey formally in place because the Jets Normal Supervisor and Aaron Glenn because the Head Coach, the largest query stays what’s going to the New York Jets do with Aaron Rodgers?
There appears to be a large break up amongst each followers and media about what to do with the recently-turned 40-year-old sign caller because the Jets attempt to usher in yet one more new period with their fifth totally different GM-HC mixture of the final 10 years. In fact it is smart to start out anew and have the brand new regime herald contemporary gamers that match the mildew of what they’re attempting to construct, however with the entire expertise that also stays on this roster it is likely to be value attempting to finish their 14-year playoff drought in 12 months one because the Commanders efficiently did this 12 months.
Whereas bringing again Aaron Rodgers is smart for the latter, there’s a case to be made that bringing him again might serve each faculties of thought. When making that case, contemplate the truth that there are three predominant the reason why Aaron Rodgers is the very best choice for the Jets QB in 2025: Well being, Outcomes, and Roster Development.
Well being is Wealth
Everybody is aware of that Aaron Rodgers suffered a devastating Achilles damage in September 2023 but it surely looks like nearly nobody truly is aware of in regards to the restoration from such an damage. In fact for everybody it’s totally different, however the common timeline for athletes restoration is 12(!) months. It was fairly silly to imagine that in his very first NFL motion because the damage that he would someway look even higher than he did earlier than the damage.
Wanting again, the Jets in all probability ought to have put Rodgers on the market within the preseason to get his bearings again however Robert Saleh opted to not, forcing Rodgers to work by way of these kinks in common season motion. Nonetheless, the Aaron Rodgers of outdated did finally come to life, throwing 14 TDs to simply 1 INT throughout an 8-game span that additionally included his first 300-yard sport in 3 years. Rodgers additionally had two totally different video games in that span the place he threw for 3 touchdowns, which solely occurred as soon as in the complete 2022 season when he performed 17 video games for the Packers.
One extra 12 months faraway from the damage, he ought to truly really feel like his prior self (age not withstanding). NFL legend Shawne Merriman spoke with me earlier this month and he stated one thing very related. As a participant who suffered the identical damage, it’s value listening to him share his expertise and clarify why he thinks Aaron might be higher in 2025 than he was in 2024.
Additionally, given that the majority of his talent gamers and most of his linemen might be returning, their chemistry might be greater than it’s ever been – resulting in faster selections and fewer hits with the ball popping out at a greater tempo.
2024 Outcomes
In the event you’re a kind of that say “all I care about is wins” then this is likely to be a tough part to grasp. Wins aren’t primarily based on the actions of anyone man on a soccer subject – quarterbacks will be excellent and nonetheless have their kickers miss subject targets / further factors to in the end lose video games. On the opposite facet, quarterbacks will be completely atrocious and nonetheless be carried to victory by way of a dominant protection that may rating factors themselves and cease their opponents from scoring. We should always all be accustomed to the latter, as a result of Zach Wilson was accruing wins for 2 years with out throwing a landing for full video games at a time.
So in taking a look at quarterbacks, wins aren’t all too related. Probably the most related measurements are those that decide how effectively the offense was capable of transfer the ball down the sector and rating touchdowns. In 2024, Aaron Rodgers did these items at a a lot better tempo than any Jets quarterback because the 2015 Ryan Fitzpatrick season. Consider it or not, his numbers for 2024 even surpass his output from his final season as a Packer in 2022 when the group completed 8-9. Extra yards thrown, extra touchdowns thrown, and fewer interceptions in 2024 coming off an Achilles damage at age 40.
The Jets had been on a streak of 4 consecutive seasons with out having a QB throw for 10+ touchdowns, which Rodgers shattered along with his 28 touchdowns thrown in 2024. This complete is the third highest in group historical past and probably the most since (you guessed it) Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 2015 season. Rodgers’s 3,897 yards this season was the primary time since 2019 {that a} Jets QB threw for 3,000+ yards. That complete can be the third highest in franchise historical past.
Lastly, the offensive touchdowns. This might help put some stability, as a result of possibly some Jets offenses have been run heavy than others, however they nonetheless require terrific QB play to attain. This 12 months the Jets scored 39 offensive touchdowns, in comparison with simply 18 the earlier 12 months. The 2015 Jets had 44 offensive touchdowns however no different group was capable of surpass 35 within the years which have handed since. They solely handed 30 twice, however right here the Rodgers Jets have been capable of overcome 5 video games of Nathaniel Hackett play calling and nonetheless rating 39 touchdowns.
For group that’s in flux and needs some stability as they lay the groundwork for the longer term, don’t you assume they’d profit from having a QB who was eighth within the league in yards and seventh within the league in TDs the 12 months prior? Isn’t {that a} worth value passing on to your subsequent QB who you possibly can draft in April or is likely to be Jordan Travis? Let your inheritor obvious be taught behind one of many all-time greats whereas nonetheless giving your talent place gamers Garrett Wilson, Breece Corridor, Malachi Corley and so on. a chance to develop in a formidable passing assault.
Roster Development
You’ll discover we point out Davante Adams when speaking talent gamers within the final part. He nearly definitely not be a Jet in the event that they resolve to maneuver on from Rodgers so that they really want to assume lengthy and arduous about whether or not they’re prepared to lose an elite WR duo simply to eliminate Rodgers. Garrett and Davante are a formidable pair of no. 1 receivers who defenses have to organize for, however might having each be an excessive amount of to deal with?
Even with out a Head Coach, we noticed a number of video games the place this idea was on show and the pair torched opposing defenses for 100+ yards. With an improved offensive scheme, offensive line, and the elevated chemistry of Rodgers-Corridor-Adams-Wilson, the sky is likely to be the restrict for the way excessive this offense can soar. Assuming Malachi Corley (who was trending up in the direction of the top of the season) takes his place among the many beginning WRs, the Jets can put themselves able to have a longtime deadly trio that exists even past Rodgers in the event that they get the subsequent piece proper.
Rodgers and Adams have two of the biggest contracts within the NFL proper now, and each carry an insurmountable quantity of useless cap. One of the best ways to work down these cap conditions is to re-negotiate them, which is most simply achieved when the 2 sides are amicable. Making an attempt to push Rodgers out after which work one thing out with Adams might put the Jets in a horrific scenario that groups strive their finest to keep away from. It’s possible you’ll say ‘Darren Mougey just got the Broncos to the playoffs with the worst dead cap in NFL history’ however I don’t actually gameplan for lightning to strike twice.
I believe the very best plan is to maintain them each pleased, re-negotiate their cap to keep away from cap hell altogether, and proceed having a borderline Prime-10 NFL QB below heart at a worth that isn’t even near the highest 10 within the league. He’s at the moment the sixteenth highest paid QB within the NFL and will drop even additional down the record after free company. His manufacturing at his worth is a steal, and comes with an elite WR as well. Let your younger QB be taught below this man and hope that the Glenn period lasts lengthy sufficient in order that the brand new QB can expertise his first few years within the league below the identical administration in the identical offensive system.
With so many QBs projected to enter the second spherical, that is really the right 12 months to get a sign caller like Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss or Ohio State’s Will Howard. Have them soak in oodles of data from top-of-the-line to ever play the place whereas nonetheless having to compete with Jordan Travis for the beginning job in 2026. Are you able to envision a scenario that might work higher than this one as a result of I can’t consider any. Let’s go Jets
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Born and raised in NY, cursed to be a Jets, Knicks, and Mets fan for all times. I take turns yearly crying over my snake-bitten franchises however hopefully earlier than I die my favourite of the bunch (Jets) will be capable to reward my timeless religion in them. Within the meantime, I am going to present rational perception and evaluation to assist in giving you a practical perspective on the greenest present in New York Metropolis!
