The New York Jets may be spiraling with a 3-8 record, but interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich made one thing abundantly clear: Aaron Rodgers will “absolutely” be under center when the team takes on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13. Despite rampant speculation about the veteran quarterback’s future with the franchise, Ulbrich put the rumors to rest in his Monday press conference.
“All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich stated confidently. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the past month. And a healthy Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers we all love. So I’m excited about what that looks like.”
Rodgers’ Rocky Road in New York
The four-time MVP’s tenure with the Jets has been anything but smooth sailing. Rodgers has battled a slew of leg injuries since September, including knee, hamstring, and ankle issues. However, he’s practiced fully leading up to the team’s past two games, and Ulbrich shot down reports suggesting Rodgers refused medical imaging tests to keep playing.
“News to me,” Ulbrich said of the rumored refusal.
– Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets Interim Head Coach
Off the field, the Jets have been in turmoil, with owner Woody Johnson firing head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas amid the team’s freefall. The focus has now shifted to Rodgers, who turns 41 next week, and his potential return to the Jets in 2025.
An Uncertain Future
While Rodgers has expressed his desire to play next season, sources close to the situation are skeptical that Johnson will sign off on his return. The decision could ultimately fall on the shoulders of the Jets’ new general manager and head coach, but Rodgers will undoubtedly have a say in the matter as well.
If Rodgers opts not to return, the Jets have veteran backup Tyrod Taylor under contract for 2025. However, the team’s dismal offensive performance this season – ranking 24th in Total QBR and failing to reach the 30-point mark in any game – may prompt a complete overhaul under new leadership.
Playoff Aspirations Dwindling
With just a 0.7% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN analytics, the Jets are on the brink of mathematical elimination. The franchise is one loss away from its ninth consecutive losing season, a bitter pill to swallow for a team that entered the year with high hopes following Rodgers’ acquisition.
“You really have to not care about anybody in this building if your mindset goes to, ‘We’re 3-8, I’m done. I’m out of here. I’m checked out. I don’t want to play anymore.’ … If anybody is on our team thinking that way, it’s going to show really fast and I know I’m going to call it out.”
– C.J. Mosley, New York Jets Linebacker and Team Captain
Despite the grim outlook, linebacker C.J. Mosley, a respected leader in the locker room, doesn’t expect his teammates to quit on the season. The Jets will need to rally around Rodgers and find a way to salvage some pride in the final six games, starting with a tough test against the Seahawks in Week 13.
The Road Ahead
As the Jets navigate this tumultuous period, all eyes will be on Rodgers and his performance down the stretch. Will he be able to recapture some of the magic that made him one of the league’s most feared quarterbacks, or will the Jets’ 2024 season be remembered as a colossal disappointment?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Aaron Rodgers will be leading the charge for the Jets in Week 13, no matter the circumstances. The future may be uncertain, but the present remains squarely in the hands of the future Hall of Famer as he looks to write a positive ending to a forgettable chapter in his illustrious career.
