Aaron Rodgers’ time with the New York Jets has likely come to an end, and with that, the debate over the 41-year-old’s future is heating up. The Jets recently announced they’d be releasing the four-time MVP after just two seasons in New York, marking an unceremonious conclusion to a tenure that was supposed to bring the Jets back to contention.
Instead, the team finished 5-12 in 2024, and Rodgers — who started all 17 games — put up respectable numbers but failed to elevate the offense to anything close to a playoff-caliber unit.
Now, with Rodgers set to enter free agency at the age of 41, speculation has turned to what’s next. While some believe the veteran quarterback still has something left in the tank, others — including former Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy — think it’s time for him to retire.
LeSean McCoy Thinks Aaron Rodgers Should Retire
McCoy, a two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowler, didn’t mince words when discussing Rodgers’ future on “The Facility.” The former NFL running back made his stance crystal clear: “Aaron Rodgers, it’s time to tie the cleats up and throw them up high!”
“Aaron Rodgers, it’s time to tie the cleats up and throw them up high!”@CutOnDime25 on the Jets releasing the veteran QB after 2 seasons pic.twitter.com/rrOqFAjtBr
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) February 13, 2025
McCoy’s statement echoes the sentiment of many who watched Rodgers struggle through his first full 17-game season since his Achilles injury. Despite solid numbers — 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — Rodgers failed to produce at the elite level he once did, raising questions about whether it’s time for him to step away from the game for good.
Rodgers’ 2024 Season: A Decline in Efficiency
Statistically, Rodgers was far from the worst quarterback in 2024, but by his own standards, the season was a major step down. He finished 21st in the NFL in PFSN’s QB+ rankings, a clear indication that his performance was well below his MVP days.
The advanced metrics were even more damning:
- 0.02 EPA per dropback (27th)
- 36th in EPA per dropback from a clean pocket (0.07) — only Will Levis ranked lower
- 33.5% third-down conversion rate (29th)
- 6.2 adjusted net yards per attempt (30th) despite ranking ninth in yards after the catch per completion (5.8 YAC/Cp)
For context, this was actually an improvement over his final full season with the Gren Bay Packers in 2022, when he posted a 68.0 QB+ grade (D+). However, his touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2024 (2.5) was his third-worst in 16 seasons as a starter, trailing only his 2022 and 2008 campaigns. His 4.8% touchdown rate was also the third lowest of his career.
What’s Next for Rodgers?
With the Jets moving on and no clear Super Bowl contender in desperate need of a 41-year-old quarterback, Rodgers is at a career crossroads. He could attempt to find one last opportunity to compete, but as McCoy and others have suggested, the writing may be on the wall.
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Rodgers has already cemented his legacy as one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history. The question now is whether he wants to risk further decline to chase a Brady-like ending to his career or step away on his own terms.