The future remains up in the air for Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets quarterback acknowledged as much Monday when he expressed a willingness to take a pay cut and to mentor a young quarterback next season but stressed there are still decisions to be made before then.
“I haven’t decided whether or not I want to play moving forward,” Rodgers said on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“They haven’t decided — or maybe they have, but haven’t told me — what their plans are moving forward. I’m guessing they’re gonna want to get a GM in here in the next few weeks and then obviously let the GM be a part of making the coaching selection.”
The Jets are interviewing candidates to replace general manager Joe Douglas, whom they fired after Week 11. They also need to replace head coach Robert Saleh, whom they fired six weeks before Douglas.
Those casualties came amid a disappointing season for the once-Super-Bowl-hopeful Jets, who fell to 4-11 with Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium.
“I think there’s a world where they just say, ‘Hey, thank you. We’re gonna go in an opposite direction on Jan. 6,’” Rodgers said. “I think there’s also a possibility we’re gonna wait and see who the new staff is.”
The Jets acquired Rodgers in April 2023, hoping the four-time NFL MVP would elevate a roster with offensive playmakers and a stout defense to Super Bowl contention.
Shortly after the trade, Rodgers agreed to take a $33.7 million pay cut over two seasons, allowing the Jets to further subsidize the roster.
Rodgers carries a $23.5 million cap hit for 2025, but the Jets would be on the hook for a $49 million dead cap hit should the quarterback be released or retire.
“I think I’ve already proven I’m willing to take a pay cut,” Rodgers said Monday. “I’ve made a ton of money, and I think if you look at both [wide receiver] Davante [Adams] and I’s contracts moving forward for next year, there’s cap numbers that would need to be worked around if they wanted to bring us both back.”
Rodgers, 41, has thrown for 3,511 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, his first since suffering an Achilles tear four snaps into 2023. But the Jets entered Monday ranked in the bottom third among NFL teams in points (19.5) and yards (307.9) per game.
The Jets are projected to have the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, according to Tankathon, and could consider taking their next franchise quarterback.
Rodgers spent his first three NFL seasons behind quarterback Brett Favre with the Green Bay Packers, while Jordan Love spent his first three seasons backing up Rodgers in Green Bay.
“I know what it was like to be a first-round pick and to be in a room with a Hall of Famer,” Rodgers said of his willingness to mentor a young QB. “I tried to help Jordan as much as possible. If there were a situation where the new staff came in and wanted me to be there, [and] also wanted to make a pick for the future … then yeah, of course.”
Last week, The Athletic reported that Jets owner Woody Johnson’s teenage sons, Brick and Jack, have influence within the organization.
McAfee joked about that report Monday, asking if Brick would be the one to inform Rodgers of his release.
“I’ve never been released before, so being released would be a first,” Rodgers replied with a smile. “Being released by a teenager, that would also be a first. I’m open to everything, and I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, hey, it’s a great story.”
