New York Times best-selling author Ian O’Connor believes that quarterback Aaron Rodgers wanted to remain with the Jets. While appearing on “The Jake Asman Show,” O’Connor outlined his belief that Rodgers wanted to continue being the Jets’ quarterback and how Rodgers tearing his Achilles tendon was the beginning of the end of his dream of playing in the Big Apple.
Rodgers struggled this past campaign fresh off the devastating leg injury. However, he appeared to turn a corner in the final month of the season. In the final five games, Rodgers averaged 254 passing yards, had nine touchdown passes, and only three interceptions. However, the Jets recently released Rodgers from his contract, something that opens up the possibility of the four-time NFL MVP either retiring or moving to another team.
Ian O’Connor Thinks Aaron Rodgers Wanted To Stay in New York
O’Connor referenced the excitement that both Rodgers and Jets fans had prior to the 2023 campaign when detailing his belief that Rodgers wanted to remain with the historic franchise moving forward.
“He did want to remain a Jet. I think he’s loved this market and you remember the love affair when he first arrived. That first training camp and just the way the city embraced him, despite the fact that a lot of people who live in New York City don’t agree with his political views.
“Nobody in New York City cared about that. It was a love affair like I’ve never seen before and he was eating it up. I really think he enjoyed the market, he enjoyed living in New Jersey and it just, the night he ruptured his Achilles, he ruptured the dream with it,” O’Connor stated.
What Will Aaron Rodgers Do Next?
At this time, it is unclear whether Rodgers will call it a career or continue his NFL journey with another organization. At 41 years old, it does not seem out of the realm of possibility that Rodgers needed some extra time to reacclimatize to NFL football, especially considering his strong end of the year.
As a result, with many franchises around the NFL in need of a quarterback (and only a few legitimate Day 1 starting QBs available in this upcoming NFL Draft class), the talents of Rodgers may be of interest to various teams around the league. Only time will tell what Rodgers decides for his future.
However, one thing is clear, he will not be playing for the Jets next season.