New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose soccer future stays a thriller, prompt Monday that he might be launched on the finish of the season. He additionally joked about the potential for being launched by the proprietor’s teenage son — an apparent poke at proprietor Woody Johnson and the newest controversy surrounding the group.
“Being launched could be a primary; being launched by a teen, that will even be a primary,” Rodgers mentioned with fun throughout his weekly spot on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“So, hey, I’m open to every little thing and I discover the comedy in all of it. If that occurs, hey, it is an awesome story.”
It was a reference to a story last week by The Athletic, which reported that Johnson, 77, takes recommendation from his teenage sons, Brick and Jack.
Rodgers, 41, has mentioned the Jets are his “first choice” if he decides to return for a twenty first season. The Jets are within the technique of a regime change, as they fired coach Robert Saleh and common supervisor Joe Douglas in the course of the season — a 4-11 catastrophe. The new decision-makers can have loads to say about Rodgers’ destiny, though the sensation amongst these near the crew is that Woody Johnson needs to maneuver on from the long run Hall of Famer, who’s signed for 2025.
“I believe there is a world the place they simply say, ‘Hey, thanks, we’ll go in one other path’ on January sixth,” mentioned Rodgers, referring to the day after the common season. “…That’s a risk. I believe there’s additionally a risk we’ll wait and see who the brand new employees is.”
When Brick Johnson’s identify was talked about on the present, Rodgers chimed in. Trying to carry again his laughter, he replied, “Just to reply that, there is a first time for every little thing — and there is been a couple of of these this 12 months and first time in 20 years.”
A supply confirmed to ESPN that Johnson’s sons are “very a lot” concerned in soccer issues. The Jets have denied that.
Rodgers made it clear that he has some points with the crew’s tradition. He’s bothered by leaks inside the group, one thing he has talked about a number of instances over the previous two seasons. On Monday, he went as far as to say that it is impacting the result of video games.
“What’s greatest for the Jets just isn’t having these sort of leaks on a regular basis, and when that will get discovered then it will be slightly simpler to win,” he mentioned. “I imply, it would not have a direct affect on the gamers on the sector, however it has an affect on the tradition and the chemistry and the general power of the constructing, and that is what must get higher.”
As for his personal future, Rodgers reiterated that he is prepared to take a pay lower, saying he has already made “a ton of cash” in his profession.
Under his present contract, renegotiated final 12 months, he is due a $35 million choice bonus and a $2.5 million base wage in 2025 — none of it assured. He took a $34 million pay lower final 12 months to offer cap aid to pursue free brokers.
“I believe I’ve already confirmed I’m prepared to take a pay lower,” he mentioned, asserting that his contract and that of broad receiver Davante Adams must be renegotiated for them to return.
Rodgers’ 2025 cap cost is a manageable $23.5 million, though the crew would get hit with a $49 million lifeless cost if he is launched or traded. Adams’ cap cost is a prohibitive $38.3 million, which consists largely of nonguaranteed base wage.
Rodgers is having a down 12 months by his requirements, rating twenty third in QBR (52.2), however he is on the verge of some milestones. He wants one landing move to turn into the fifth participant in historical past with 500, and he wants 497 passing yards to eclipse Joe Namath’s franchise document (4,007), set in 1967.
