Aaron Rodgers‘ future with the Jets was already a matter of concern, given the circumstances. He is 41 years old and didn’t exactly meet expectations, especially when you understand they brought him in thinking Rodgers will propel them to the playoffs. Instead, the Jets finished 5-12. A new backroom staff has been put in, led by Aaron Glenn. The question then was whether Glenn would continue with Rodgers.

Now, the reports are that the Jets have made a decision. And Rodgers is out. Michael Strahan’s Fox co-host, Jay Glazer’s sources are saying that the Jets have decided to let Rodgers go despite the former Super Bowl Champion’s willingness to stick with the Jets: “Aaron Rodgers flew back to New Jersey last week to meet with the Jets about his future with the team, only to be told that the team was moving on from him.”

Jay further continued that it looks like Rodgers will continue in the next season: “Given that Aaron made the effort to fly back to discuss his future, all signs point to him continuing to play.”

Was the Jets decision related to Rodgers’ game and doubts about his adaptability to a new system at this juncture of his career? Or something else motivated the decision?

The Jets looking for a fresh start with more ruthlessness on the horizon

As per the reports, the Jets’ decision on Aaron Rodgers was a money decision. Also, the Jets didn’t want to waste any time and start the rebuild now. Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz tweeted that as per his sources, “It was more so about his contract and the significant dead money that would remain whenever they eventually parted ways. New GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn want to take the hit now and start fresh.”

The urgency is valid. The Jets are going through the longest playoff drought in US Sports history. The huge financial hit they took to trade in Aaron Rodgers has backfired completely. There are concerns about rotting dressing room culture. In such a scenario, the HC and GM have decided to put the Jets on the operating table without any delay. It is a total reset.

Not that this Rodgers decision will be cheap. The Jets are letting Rogers go before June 1. This means they will still take a dead cap hit of $49 million in total ($14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026). To be honest, with the $112 million deal signed for a 3-year contract, the money was always going to be a problem if things went wrong.

At least, they are ripping the band-aid right now. In fact, the Jets are even considering letting 32-year-old receiver Davante Adams go. As per National Insider for NFL Network, Ian Rapoport, “With the #Jets and QB Aaron Rodgers headed for a split, sources say, don’t be surprised if they move on from Davante Adams (with his huge cap number), too. They could reunite elsewhere.”

Again, the Adams decision is money-related, and also the Jets think that Adams doesn’t belong to the project. Apparently, the 38.3 million cap hit for Devante Adams in 2025 will be untenable for the Jets. So, they will move him on too.

The Jets fans better hang tight. It’s going to get very stormy and uneasy as they go through the rebuild.