A long-speculated domino in the NFL quarterback carousel is finally set to fall this afternoon. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets are officially releasing quarterback Aaron Rodgers after 4 p.m. today.
Now official: Jets are releasing Aaron Rodgers after 4 pm today. The Jets will take on $49M in dead money by releasing Rodgers. He’s being designated as a post-June 1 cut, meaning they’ll carry his $21M cap hit until June 1, when it drops to $14M—saving $7M. But they then will absorb a $35M dead cap hit in 2026. pic.twitter.com/WU3AR8G8O4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2025
It’s a move which has been brewing for some time now, as the rift between Rodgers and the Jets gradually grew over the course of last season. While the four-time MVP quarterback was supposed to lead the long-suffering franchise to the playoffs in his first fully-healthy season with the team, the relationship between the two sides encountered turbulence en route to a disappointing 5-12 finish. Now, Rodgers finds himself on the free agent market, while the Jets added young quarterback Justin Fields on a two-year deal when free agency began.
While the quarterback market has shrunk over the last couple of days with several signal-callers finding new homes, Rodgers is still likely to garner interest from multiple teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants both remain in need at the position and have been linked to Rodgers. According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the Minnesota Vikings could also be a sleeper team in pursuit of a veteran quarterback as they look to remain a contender.
The 41-year-old’s 2024 campaign had its fair share of peaks and valleys, but Rodgers largely played good football over the second half of the season — he finished with 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. While he likely still has some gas left in the tank, any team which courts Rodgers will have to grapple with the looming impact of Father Time, as well as his off-field presence and possible distractions.
