Despite the New York Jets’ recent 26-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has reiterated his strong support for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On Monday, which coincided with Rodgers’ 41st birthday, Ulbrich confirmed that the veteran QB would continue as the starter for Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins, emphasizing the team’s confidence in Rodgers: “We have great belief in Aaron. We think he gives us the best opportunity to win.”
This season, Rodgers has completed 262 passes out of 419 attempts, accumulating 2,627 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. However, the Jets have had a disappointing season, sitting at 3-9 and third in the AFC East. Notably, the Jets are the first team in Super Bowl history to be favored in nine of their first 12 games yet only manage to secure three wins. While Rodgers has displayed moments of brilliance, his performance has been uneven, with a glaring mistake against the Seahawks when his pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
Ulbrich, however, remains unwavering in his belief that Rodgers is still capable of succeeding in the NFL, despite the quarterback dealing with multiple injuries, including to his hamstring, knee, and ankle. Rodgers has played through these setbacks and has not missed a game, though they have clearly impacted his overall performance.
Despite ongoing struggles, Ulbrich has refrained from committing to Rodgers as the permanent starting QB for the remainder of the season. When asked about the future, Ulbrich stated simply, “He’s our quarterback.” Rodgers, acknowledging the situation, hinted that changes could be discussed in the future, suggesting he would have a conversation with Ulbrich if needed.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Jets face a significant financial decision. If Rodgers remains with the team, his cap hit will amount to $23.5 million. However, cutting him would result in a massive $49 million in dead cap space, although the dead money could be spread across two years. Another option would be to release Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut, reducing the cap hit to $14 million for 2025 and saving the team $9.5 million in that year.
