Stick or twist with the veteran?
With the head coach appointment out of the way, the biggest question hanging around the Florham Park remains what to do with Aaron Rodgers?
The future Hall of Fame quarterback could not drag ‘Gang Green’ out of the doldrums in 2024, as the New York Jets slumped to another losing season and extended their post-season drought to 14 years.
Rodgers has so far been coy on his future in New York. But given the perceived lack of options in this year’s draft class and a seemingly bare cupboard in free agency – can the new coaching staff afford to just let a man of Rodgers talents walk out the door?
A look at the numbers from 2024 show that Rodgers had one of the best quarterback seasons in Jets history. The 41-year-old threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 picks.
There were undeniably some ugly performances which showed Rodgers’ limitations. And while some of these defeats can be attributed to Rodgers, it is hard to blame him entirely for the collapse.
Nobody foresaw Greg Zuerlein missing several crucial kicks. The much-vaunted defence failed to get off the field in several one-score games. They inexplicably ranked dead last in rushing attempts and 31st in rushing yards, despite having a supremely talented backfield led by Breece Hall.
Then there was the coaching debacle, which exposed the flaws of the entire organisation. All in all, it was not a recipe for success.
Reasons to be cheerful
But it was not all doom and gloom. Rodgers’ connection with Garrett Wilson grew throughout the season, with Wilson registering career highs for receptions, yards and touchdowns.
And when the offensive line stayed healthy, Rodgers still played like a top 15 quarterback, making throws no other quarterback in Jets history could dream of – the Hail Mary against the Buffalo Bills was just one of these.
Jettisoning him now and rolling with a rookie or a free agent like Sam Darnold is entirely possible. But this risks another wasted year of rookie deals for core offensive pieces like Wilson and Hall.
Rodgers still showed me enough last season to suggest he has one more run in him. Does mean he will make the Jets a playoff team in 2025? Probably not.
But with improved coaching those one score losses can become wins and the record will look much healthier.
The new GM, whoever he may be, can use one of his draft picks on a rookie to sit and learn for a year behind Rodgers, before the legend rides into the sunset.
It just feels as though Rodgers has unfinished business in the Big Apple. As a long suffering Jets fan I hope we see the ultimate Rodgers revenge tour in 2025.
