Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play his 248th profession sport on Sunday towards the Dolphins. The query is whether or not will probably be his final.
The 41-year-old Rodgers was requested on Wednesday whether or not he has thought-about the chance that that is his remaining sport.
“Yeah, in fact,” Rodgers mentioned.
Rodgers mentioned he’ll take a while after the season to clear his head and calm down earlier than deciding whether or not he desires to play a twenty first season within the NFL. However he is aware of that it seems more and more unlikely that he’ll return to the Jets subsequent yr.
The crew is about to rent a brand new common supervisor and head coach.
The Jets are ending out a depressing 4-12 season the place many issues went flawed, together with with Rodgers.
It appears more likely the Jets will need a contemporary begin at quarterback subsequent yr than operating it again with Rodgers.
Rodgers was requested how he feels when he displays on these final two seasons with the Jets.
“I imply gratitude, actually. It’s been the most effective two years of my life,” Rodgers mentioned. “That’s a perspective adjustment that occurred sooner or later in the course of the rehab course of final yr. Simply the thrill, falling again in love with the sport, attending to know these guys in right here, attending to know the good women and men that work right here. It’s been loads of enjoyable. Clearly, on the sphere has been wanting expectations, little doubt. This sport is extra than simply that. This sport is in regards to the relationships.”
When informed that it seems like Rodgers is leaning towards retirement, Rodgers mentioned that was not the case however he is aware of a Jets return could also be unlikely.
“Simply extra resigned to the truth of the state of affairs. There’s going to be change right here,” he mentioned. “If I’m part of the change, I simply need make certain everybody is aware of I’ve nothing however gratitude for my time right here.
“I’m dissatisfied in regards to the efficiency each myself and as a crew however I’m actually grateful for the chance. If I really feel good coming again and so they need to make one other run at this, that will be improbable, however I’m not naïve to the state of affairs we’re in.”
Rodgers has mentioned repeatedly that he desires to take a while after the season to relaxation his physique and thoughts earlier than deciding whether or not he desires to maintain enjoying.
On Wednesday, he joked in regards to the course of he utilized in 2022 when he confronted an analogous determination.
“Most likely darkness once more. No, I believe I’m finished with that,” Rodgers mentioned. “I gained’t be doing any darkness retreats this offseason.”
Rodgers mentioned he doesn’t assume the brand new Jets leaders will take very lengthy earlier than making a choice on his future with the crew, mentioning that free company begins in March.
“I don’t assume we’re even going to get that far,” Rodgers mentioned. “There’s going to be regime change right here, at the very least with GM. No matter they find yourself doing, I’m certain I’ll both get a name or have a dialog and go from there.”
Rodgers mentioned he looks like he was not capable of relaxation offseason as a result of he was rehabbing from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered within the first sport of the 2023 season. That has led to a very long time of rehabbing and coaching with out a break.
He in contrast it to a rookie season when a participant goes from their faculty season to coaching for the Mix after which becoming a member of a crew.
“I want a break mentally,” Rodgers mentioned. “I don’t need to decide till I’ve been capable of relaxation mentally and bodily. As a result of since September 11 final yr, it actually looks like I’ve been rehabbing and coaching simply to get to have the ability to play in coaching camp. Then, had the nerves of enjoying the primary few video games after which get form of banged up and form of been simply making an attempt to get again on the sphere for a lot of weeks till the final three or 4 the place I felt actually good. I simply want a break mentally to form of refresh and put my ft within the sand and see the place I’m at after that.”
Rodgers mentioned he gained’t take it personally if the Jets don’t need him again.
“If I need to play and so they don’t need me right here, then I’ll see if there’s different choices,” Rodgers mentioned. “First, I’ve obtained to wrap my head round doing the grind yet one more time.”
