New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers waits to see who the team hires as its next head coach and general manager before deciding on his NFL future.
In his first public comments since the Jets’ 5-12 season ended, Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show Thursday and discussed his exit meetings with team ownership. He said his future with the Jets will depend on how the new leadership team—set to be appointed soon—aligns with him.
“I told them I’m going to take some time,” Rodgers said. “They haven’t made a decision on a GM or a coach yet. Once that happens, that will take us to the next step which is a conversation I’m assuming with whoever that individual is. But this is a time where I’m taking time for my body and my mind to clear things.”
Rodgers, 41, is still contemplating retirement after recovering from Achilles surgery. He started every game in 2024, passing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Despite his solid performance, Rodgers’ future with the Jets remains uncertain, especially with the team searching for a new head coach and general manager following Robert Saleh’s and Joe Douglas’s firing.
The Jets’ extensive search has included interviews with at least 33 candidates for both positions. On Thursday, they spoke with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. They were scheduled to interview Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Smith and Flores are among six candidates with previous NFL head-coaching experience.
The Jets hope to make their hires in the coming days, allowing the new general manager to participate in the next round of coaching interviews. The priority for the new leadership will be deciding whether Rodgers, coming off a season with mixed results, remains the team’s starting quarterback.
Rodgers spoke positively about his exit meetings, noting that he offered “constructive” suggestions about team operations, including areas like travel logistics and cafeteria quality. “I was impressed to see that the meeting with Christopher and Hymie was a lot about that,” Rodgers said. “The meeting with Woody was more about team future, different things.”
With the leadership search still underway, Aaron Rodgers’ future in New York will hinge on the Jets’ next decisions. The outcome of those hires could ultimately determine whether Rodgers returns for the 2025 season.
