### Why the Jets Should Consider Parting Ways with Aaron Rodgers After 2024

The New York Jets' high hopes for Aaron Rodgers have been met with disappointment rather than success. Acquired from the Green Bay Packers just before the 2023 NFL Draft, Rodgers was expected to break the Jets' playoff drought dating back to 2011 and transform them into Super Bowl contenders. In return for Rodgers, the Jets sent the Packers a first-round pick (13th overall), a second-round pick, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft, and a conditional second-round pick for 2024. Unfortunately, an Achilles tear sidelined Rodgers after just four plays into his first game with the Jets, drastically altering the season's outcome.

The 2023 season continued to unfold poorly, culminating in the firing of Coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start. Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly even considered benching Rodgers after a particularly disappointing Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos. General Manager Joe Douglas, with an expiring contract, also faced the axe as the Jets' record dropped to 3-8 heading into their bye week. It’s apparent that relying on the likes of Zach Wilson, who has been a major letdown since being picked second overall in the 2021 draft, has not provided the stability the Jets needed after losing Rodgers.

Statistically, Rodgers' performance in the 2023 season was akin to his last year with the Packers in 2022, a season many considered subpar by his standards. With a passer rating around 88.9 and an average of 222 passing yards per game, Rodgers struggled to recreate the form that saw him win back-to-back NFL MVP awards. At 41, concerns about Rodgers' longevity and effectiveness have become increasingly pertinent.

Rodgers has expressed a desire to continue playing into 2025, but his age and a contract that sees him scheduled for a non-guaranteed $37.5 million salary in that year, complicate the Jets' financial landscape. The intricacies of his contract, inclusive of option bonuses and prorated payments, suggest that moving on from Rodgers sooner would mitigate a greater salary cap issue, similar to what the Packers might have faced had they kept him beyond 2022.

Should the Jets cut ties with Rodgers after the 2024 season, they face approximately $49 million in dead money. This amount derives from prorating a $35 million roster bonus over five years and an additional $35 million payment to exercise an option for the 2028 contract year. However, using a post-June 1 designation in 2025 could spread this financial hit over two years, thereby lightening the immediate cap burden.

Economically, the Jets stand to benefit from releasing Rodgers, especially given that extending his tenure would further inflate the dead money impact to $63 million if he departed after the 2025 season. With age catching up and the Jets' dire need for a fresh start, it is perhaps the right time to make a decisive move regarding the veteran quarterback. As the Jets look ahead to a potential new head coach and general manager, starting afresh without the financial and performance baggage of an aging star like Rodgers would likely be a more prudent approach.