Aaron Rodgers reveals if he has regrets about joining New York Jets

New York Jets (3-9) quarterback Aaron Rodgers reflected on his past calendar year during Tuesday’s “Pat McAfee Show.”

Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, said he doesn’t have “any regrets about coming to New York,” going on to list the many players and coaches he’s gotten the chance to know on a personal level despite the Jets’ overall underperformance this season.

“I don’t have any regrets about coming to New York,” Rodgers said. “In fact, I’m so thankful. If I hadn’t come to New York, my life wouldn’t look the way it does now. And I was thinking about that, like how many beautiful blessings have come into my life since being a Jet. And there’s a lot of them. People, experiences, memories, but there’s just so many individuals that work in the building that I never would’ve met. I would’ve gone in my life without ever getting to meet and know Solomon Thomas. To be locker mates with Takk McKinley and Tyron Smith and get to have great conversations with those guys. To get to play with Morgan Moses who’s one of the realest dudes I’ve ever stepped on the field with. Just an absolute G, a stud, a warrior.

“To be able to make jokes with Will McDonald every day, to be able to watch Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall and Jermaine Johnson and Sauce Gardner as they start what should be their epic, long careers is really cool. Being in the same locker room as Thomas Morstead. A longtime vet and to watch him and his silly little running after he punts the ball. And his crazy ass workouts and schedule, his CrossFit stuff. Just to tap in with him every day is really special. Sharing a room with Tyrod Taylor, one of the coolest, smoothest dudes I’ve ever been around. I never would have got to know these guys in this way.

“I never would have got to be around Todd Downing and Nathaniel Hackett in this way again and get to know Robert Saleh on a personal level and get to know Jeff Ulbrich and his family and get to know Robert and his family and get to play catch with his kid. Just all the things I’ve experienced, my life would be completely different. And I promise you not as full and not as rich had I not gotten traded here and been on board with this happening. Obviously, there’s been a lot of ups and downs but damn, I’m really thankful for this time and this journey. Whatever happens, again, I’m open to everything and attached to nothing.”

NFL insider: ‘Aaron Rodgers is a longshot’ to return to New York Jets in 2025

The Jets acquired the four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion from the Green Bay Packers (9-3) in March 2023, and the expectation was that Rodgers would help New York snap its playoff-less streak going back to 2010 and compete for Lombardi Trophies.

A torn Achilles four plays into the 2023 season derailed those plans, and the Jets have now dropped eight of their last nine games after a 2-1 start to the season. Rodgers hasn’t been the Rodgers of old, throwing for 2,627 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 62.5% passing.

Now, Rodgers is uncertain not only about his future with the Jets, but the NFL. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said on Sunday’s “NFL GameDay” that Rodgers is a “longshot” to return to the Jets in 2025. Moving on from Rodgers — whether by choice or if he retires — will cost the Jets a pretty penny. Per Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York has a $49 million dead charge if Rodgers doesn’t play for them next season.

“If Rodgers doesn’t play for the Jets in 2025 — if he’s cut or retires — the Jets have a $49 million “dead” charge, which is an accumulation of pro-rated bonuses from past years,” Cimini wrote. “That’s a substantial cap hit, more than double his cap charge if he’s on the roster [$23.5 million].”

If Rodgers does return, the Jets are required to pay him a $35 million option bonus by the first regular season game in addition to a $2.5 million base salary. Rodgers previously noted that if he decides he wants to play, “New York would be my first option.”

“It feels good,” Rodgers said last week. “I’m healthy now. … If I can stay healthy the rest of the year and play the way I want to play and everybody feels good about bringing me back, then there’s a decision there. And if not, then there’s all the other options. I think at this point I’m open to everything and attached to nothing. It’s a good place to be.”