Jets’ Aaron Rodgers ready to mentor rookie QB when he returns in 1925

FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Aaron Rodgers was stunned when the Green Bay Packers named Jordan Love as his heir apparent in 2020. He wouldn’t be surprised if the New York Jets do the same thing this spring.

In fact, Rodgers said he would accept it – if he was still playing.

While he reiterated on Wednesday that he was still undecided about his future, Rodgers indicated that his decision would not be influenced by the Jets’ plans. He said he wasn’t opposed to the idea of ​​helping develop a quality quarterback.

“When they drafted Jordan, I felt like I was a fraction away from being benched – and I won MVP for a couple of years, so that’s just the way the league is,” Rodgers said after the Training. “You have to prove every week and over longer periods that you can play.”

“So if (the Jets) asked me back and they were recruiting a guy, when I play, I would mentor him as best as I can and try to play as well as I can to keep him on the bench.”

Rodgers was 36 years old when the Packers selected Love in the first round, and the future Hall of Famer won his third and fourth MVPs in 2020 and 2021. He was replaced by Love in 2023.

This time the circumstances are a little different. Rodgers is 41 and has had a bad year by his standards. His future is full of uncertainty. The Jets are undergoing a regime change and Rodgers said he won’t rush anything.

“After the year, I’m going to take some time off – unless I’m released immediately – but I’m still going to take some time off whether I want to play or not,” he said. “But I’ll definitely need some time to get away from it.”

The Jets (4-10), who face the Los Angeles Rams (8-6) at MetLife Stadium, could have two top-40 draft picks and could be in position to add a quarterback. Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor (35) and rookie Jordan Travis (not on the football injured list) are under contract through 2025, but none are considered long-term answers.

If Rodgers decides to move on, he believes the Jets would be his first option.

“I mean, there’s a lot of reasons why this would be a great opportunity, but I’ll see what happens,” Rodgers said. “There is still a lot to do. You have to hire a GM, a head coach and then whether I’m part of the conversation or not or whether they move on or not. Whatever happens, I will do it. I am taking time and thinking about my future.”

Rodgers’ 2025 cap hit isn’t outrageous ($23.5 million), but he does have a $35 million option bonus due in 2025. He said he didn’t mind taking a pay cut a second time; In 2023, he took a voluntary cut ($34 million).

“Yes, I’m open to anything,” he said.

If the Jets release or trade Rodgers, they’ll face a cap hit of $49 million in 2025 – unless they spread that out over two years by cutting him on June 1. If he returns next season under his existing contract, the dead cap charge rises to $63 million in 2026.

The feeling within the organization is that Rodgers won’t be back, but his recent play could make the decision for the new regime more difficult. In the last two games, he rushed for 628 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions with an overall QBR of 76.8 – sixth in the league.

“It’s definitely closer to the Aaron Rodgers that we all know and expect from him, but I still think he has a long way to go to get back to the MVP Rodgers that I know,” wide receiver said Allen Lazard. “He’s been phenomenal in the last two games, but I know he can still get better.”