The New York Jets have decided to part ways with Aaron Rodgers, and their gracious gratitude suggests the quarterback met the hype and expectations that accompanied him from Green Bay. However, as fans read statements from the Jets thanking Rodgers for “everything you’ve given us the past two years,” they might find it hard to recall the disastrous seasons that transpired. For many Jets fans, it’s challenging to pinpoint anything worth thanking Rodgers for.
For everything you’ve given us the past two years, thank you 8 🤟 pic.twitter.com/JvPneWMgEI
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 13, 2025
“I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career,” Woody Johnson said in a statement. “From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most.” Most Jets fans will likely not share this sentiment. Rodgers will be remembered for his polarizing Pat McAfee interviews, battling insiders, and for shifting blame for the Jets’ failures onto others rather than embracing the franchise and its fans.
I will remember the draft picks and nearly $100 million spent on Rodgers and Davante Adams, the demands for the arrivals of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Tim Boyle, and Nathaniel Hackett’s disastrous stint as offensive coordinator. All of this culminated in just five wins over two seasons with Rodgers under center, with one season ending after just four plays and the next after five games.
I was initially excited about acquiring Rodgers, thinking he would provide the spark the Jets needed to overcome over a decade of losing. However, as soon as the welcoming phase ended and reality set in, Rodgers’ time with the Jets spiraled into failure. The Jets should not be derided for bringing him in or for trying to ease his transition after 18 seasons in Green Bay, nor should they be criticized for firing Robert Saleh or trading for Adams.
But to thank Rodgers for two tumultuous seasons and pretend there’s anything positive to take away from his tenure in New York? That invites every bit of mockery and criticism that follows.
Rodgers joined the Jets under the weight of Super Bowl expectations and further fueled the hype by mentioning their lone Lombardi Trophy, yet this collaboration resulted in complete failure over two seasons. Never before has a player and team experienced such buildup only to falter so dramatically.
His tenure was essentially a propaganda campaign that derailed as soon as he threw his first passes with the team. Say goodbye, express relief at his departure as QB of the NYJ, or choose silence. But do not say thank you, and certainly don’t try to recall fond memories of Aaron Rodgers’ time as a New York Jet.
