Aaron Rodgers plans to return to the Jets next season despite fans calling for him to retire in the middle of his nightmare campaign.
The 40-year-old returned to the Jets after missing his first season with the team due to a torn Achilles tendon in their 2023 opener against Buffalo.
Despite a 3-7 start while playing below his standard, the veteran quarterback insists he intends to return next September.
“I think so,” Rodgers said Wednesday when asked about his return plans. The response indicated his feelings hadn’t changed after saying he hopes to play “two, three, four more years” last offseason.
“Not really, not because of the negative,” he added. “Not really, no.”
Aaron Rodgers revealed he plans to return next year despite Jets’ tragic season
Rodgers has been playing below his level as fans call for the veteran quarterback to retire.
“I’m not playing as well as I would have liked, for sure,” he said. ‘The beautiful thing about this game is that it is a team game.
“The frustrating part is that if you’re a great competitor, you hold yourself to a standard that’s not unrealistic, and I haven’t met that standard this year,” Rodgers added.
The former Packers franchise player is under contract through 2025. However, the Jets would have to exercise a $35 million option bonus to bring him back.
Additionally, Rodgers has a base salary of $2.5 million, making his cap hit at a manageable $23.5 million.
Despite being crushed by the Arizona Cardinals, 6-31, Rodgers expressed optimism, saying, “The verdict is still out on this season.”
Rodgers has completed 219 of 351 attempts for 2,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also threw seven interceptions and was sacked 23 times.
The Jets will face the Colts on November 17 to close out the month and host the Seahawks on December 1.