Aaron Rodgers’s 2024 season with the Jets? Think The Godfather Part III—predictable heartbreak with a glimmer of hope. The 41-year-old QB logged 3,897 yards, 28 TDs, and 11 picks with a 90.5 rating, but the Jets collapsed to a 5-12 finish. Despite a $75M guarantee on a $112.5M deal, it felt less like an MVP encore and more like heading for the iceberg. After a long period of chaos over his future with the Gang Green, the picture is a bit clear now, but what’s going on in the veteran QB’s mind?

Well, nothing good as per insiders. But before we get to that, it’s not like the writing was not already on the wall for the veteran QB. With declining performances, and health concerns, Rodgers seemed like a shadow of his former self—during last season, the former Packers player ranked 19th in EPA per play, 25th in QBR, and 31st in completion percentage. What’s more? The four-time MVP was among the worst in the league in 2024 in terms of CPOE (completion percentage over expected), above only the Dallas Cowboys’ QB Cooper Rush, and Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson.

In 2023, he also tore his Achilles four snaps into his debut—Scream Levels of Horror—then returned in 2024 looking like a guy trying to parallel park a semi-truck. Sure, he had moments: Week 3’s 281-yard, 2-TD clinic against the Patriots and Week 14’s 274-yard, 4-TD masterpiece, including his 500th career TD pass (joining the Mount Rushmore of QB legends).

But sprinkle in injuries—knee, ankle, hamstring—and a locker room split over his Pat McAfee Show antics, and it’s no wonder the Jets noped out. And Aaron Rodgers himself, ever the drama king, left NYC whispering, “I love you, Pam,” to Fox’s Pam Oliver like a rom-com exit.

His on-target rate and accuracy rate also sat at a meagre 26th and 32nd, respectively. So, as many would expect, the Jets dropped the ball soon enough, in a way purely professional. “It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.” The truth?

There was a lot of pleading involved. As per a report by The New York Post, “Aaron Rodgers wasn’t ready for his Jets divorce.” The report also confirmed that the QB had reportedly “pleaded” with his former team to keep him, and that he “aggressively urged” the team to give him another chance, or maybe two.

But once the decision was set in stone, the Rodgers reportedly accepted his fate “like a man going to the gallows” and “slipped into the darkness for a few days”. The Super Bowl champ had reportedly flown in from California to New Jersey last week for a meeting with newly appointed head coach Aaron Glenn, and GM Darren Mougey, where he was informed of the unfavorable decision.

Notably, this comes a few weeks after Glenn had dodged multiple questions about the topic like a seasoned veteran, saying, “This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers. This is about the roster. And we plan on building the best roster we can.” Well, in the end, the “best roster” doesn’t really include Rodgers, it seems. Yet, owner Woody Johnson didn’t shy away from thanking the QB for whatever he did.

“From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next,” he said.

However, in the end, it was Rodgers just channeling his inner Rose from Titanic: “I’ll never let go, Jets!” But the New York’s front office? They just went, “Cool story, bro,” cutting ties faster than snapping fingers. The fallout? A $35M cap hit and Rodgers suddenly NFL free agency’s most divisive plot twist. The team will reportedly release Rodgers with a post-June 1 designation, which means the QB will be on the roster till the start of the league year on March 12.

This will ensure that the Jets will be able to split the remaining cap charges ($49 million) over two years: $14 million in 2025, $35 million in 2026. His current cap of $23.5 million will be on the books till June 2, and then drop to $14 million, saving the team a massive $9.5 million this year.

Having said that, what could the QB’s next destination be?

Aaron Rodgers to the Bears? Je’Rod Cherry’s brutal take

Now, enter the Cleveland Browns, QB-desperate after Deshaun Watson’s Achilles tear left them 3-14—their worst since 2017. Cue three-time Super Bowl champ Je’Rod Cherry, who’s got hotter takes than a jalapeño popper. The man who once raffled a Super Bowl ring for charity (swoon) isn’t here for Rodgers’s redemption arc:  “Nothing on the roster right now is better than Aaron Rodgers. I agree…but there’s this big question mark—what’s in between his ears? Based on what I’ve seen in a Jets uniform, stay away like it’s a nuclear waste dump.” That sounds like a warning more than an advice.

When analyst Nick Paulus floated signing Rodgers “at a bargain discount,” Cherry hit back with Fast & Furious energy: “You gotta stop buying lemons. They break down…more problems than they’re worth.” Cleveland’s front office likely feels the heat—Rodgers’s 368 completions last year weren’t a fluke, but pairing him with Watson’s $230M contract spells financial chaos.

Meanwhile, rumors swirl—Steelers? Raiders? 49ers? But SI warns the Browns against inviting a “circus they don’t need.” But wait—Rodgers isn’t without love. Jets tackle Mekhi Becton gushed, “I love Aaron to death…he’s still got great ball left.”

Rodgers saga is set to be as gripping as a Succession boardroom meltdown. And Je’Rod Cherry? He’s already popped the champagne, yelling, “Not it!”