Joe Namath Shares Strong Stance on Aaron Rodgers’ Jets Future

Aaron Rodgers is going to take some time to ponder his football future.

New York Jets legend Joe Namath wasted no time sharing his opinion on what Rodgers should do.

“After watching @AaronRodgers12 play today, there’s no doubt he’s got at a least another year in him. So if he WANTS to, I’d love to see him stay with the Jets. He could definitely help the new GM and coach, as well as play ball. He’s still throwing with accuracy and authority,” Namath posted on X previously Twitter.

After watching @AaronRodgers12 play today, there’s no doubt he’s got at a least another year in him. So if he WANTS to, I’d love to see him stay with the Jets. He could definitely help the new GM and coach, as well as play ball. He’s still throwing with accuracy and authority.

— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) January 6, 2025

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Rodgers Still Has More to Give to The Game

In the final regular season game for the Jets this season, Rodgers tossed four touchdown passes. Outside of a slow start in the first quarter, Rodgers looked mobile, decisive, and raised the level of play of those around him.

After the game, he told the media, “I know I can still play.”

The four-time NFL MVP is under contract through the 2025 season. Rodgers is on the books for a $23.5 million cap hit which is incredibly manageable for the Jets.

He just finished one of the best single seasons a Jets quarterback has ever had. Rodgers started every single game this season at QB becoming the first Jets QB to accomplish that feat since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015. He completed 63% of his passes, threw for 3,897 passing yards, and had a 28-touchdown to 11-interception ratio.

Rodgers Might be The Best – Most Realistic QB Option in 2025

When you list all of his accomplishments from his career and this past season, Rodgers should be in the running to be back. Plus when you consider the alternatives available at the quarterback position – Rodgers might be the team’s best bet.

According to Tankathon, the Jets hold the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. That is likely too far down the board to select one of the top passers in this class. The free agent options are non-existent at the game’s most important position.

It might behoove all parties to run it back in 2025, albeit in a different way. That decision won’t be for Rodgers to make alone, the Jets are in the middle of the hiring process this offseason.

Gang Green needs to hire a new head coach, general manager, and an entirely new coaching staff. Those key decision-makers will also have a hand in whether or not Rodgers returns.

Is Rodgers willing to learn a new offense? Will the culture that he brings to the table mesh with the new one that is coming in from the outside? Does Rodgers even still want to play the game of football?

If Week 18 is any indication he seems to have rekindled his love of the game and clearly still has talent left in that 41-year-old body.

Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams Shared Wholesome Moment After Potential Last Game Together

Now that the New York Jets’ season is over, everyone will be waiting with bated breath to hear what’s next for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

What was initially believed to be a brief but presumably brilliant swan song in New York has turned into a tragically sour stint for the Super Bowl champion, who spent his first season on the sidelines with a torn Achilles and his second putting up some of the worst statistical performances of his career. And now that the year is over, everyone wants to know whether he (and the Jets front office) will give it another go—or if the future Hall of Famer is done for good.

Well, if he does hang it up, at least he ended with a four-touchdown win against the Miami Dolphins, after which he walked off the field—for possibly the last time—with longtime teammate Davante Adams.

As the Jets migrated to the locker room, Rodgers found and briefly embraced his friend before chatting and strolling toward the tunnel. Watch that sweet interaction below:

Adams was traded to New York in hopes of recreating the famed connection he and Rogers had in Green Bay. While the change-up wasn’t as electric as they would have hoped, the pair has nonetheless clinched the third-most touchdowns by any quarterback-wideout pair in NFL history, behind Peyton Manning-Marvin Harrison and Steve Young-Jerry Rice, per ESPN.

Aaron Rodgers won’t be retiring from the New York Jets due to eroding ability.

After the team’s 32-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Rodgers gave an eyebrow-raising comment about what he still has left in the tank at 41 years of age.

‘I know I can still play,” Rodgers told the media on Sunday, January 5. “I know I can still do the things that I need to do to be successful. It just comes down to the desire on their side & ultimately my desire after I kind of take some time mentally & physically to rest & relax.”

#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers said after his 4-TD performance versus the #Dolphins, ‘I know I can still play.’ 👀

‘I know I can still do the things that I need to do to be successful. It just comes down to the desire on their side & ultimately my desire after I kind of take some time…

Rodgers Ended the 2024 Season With a Bang
Play
It didn’t start great for Rodgers. The first pass of the game bounced off of Davante Adams and was intercepted by the Dolphins.

Outside of the first quarter, Rodgers was dealing – inspiring optimism that he still has more gas left in the tank.

Rodgers finished the game 23-of-36 for 274 passing yards with four touchdown passes and that one interception.

The 2024 season for the Jets will be among the most disappointing in team history considering expectations before the year. However, Rodgers’ 2024 campaign will forever sit among the best in franchise history.

Rodgers finished with 28 passing touchdowns and 3,897 passing yards. Both of those stats are the third most by a Jets quarterback in a single season.

Rodgers on Retirement Questions
On “NFL Gameday Morning” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said he spoke with people inside Rodgers’ inner circle about his football future.

“There are several people close to him that I know are preparing for the fact that this could in fact be it,” Rapoport shared.

After the game, Rodgers was asked for his reaction to that report.

“Yeah, I don’t have a relationship with Ian. I’m not sure who does in my circle. Probably no one that has talked to me in the last short while. No offense to Ian of course,” Rodgers responded.

.@RapSheet said he spoke to people close to #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers who are preparing for this to potentially be the end of his #NFL career.

Rodgers was asked for his reaction to that after the game…

‘Yeah I don’t have a relationship with Ian. I’m not sure who does in my…

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr

During his post-game on-field interview with NFL Fox reporter Pam Oliver, Rodgers told her that he isn’t “going to hold anyone up” with his football decision.

Rodgers has said over the last couple of weeks that after the season he wants to get away and rest mentally and physically. This will be a multi-part decision.

Rodgers has to decide if he still wants to play the game of football. The new Jets regime that will be hired in the coming weeks must decide if they want Rodgers back.

Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts Cumulus Media’s morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.