When Aaron Rodgers arrived in New York before the 2023 season, expectations for him and the Jets were sky-high. Unfortunately for the Jets and their fans, things didn’t work out as they hoped they would.
The Jets officially announced that they are moving on from the veteran quarterback after two years with the team.
Fans Rip Into Aaron Rodgers After Jets’ ‘Thank You’ Post
The Jets’ X account posted a “Thank you” message to the veteran signal-caller, which read, “for everything you’ve given us the past two years.” The post prompted Jets fans to rip into the four-time MVP, as he walks out the door.
One fan posted a picture of Squidward from the show “SpongeBob SquarePants” holding up a blank sheet of paper with the caption “everything you’ve given us.”
“Everything you’ve given us” pic.twitter.com/2lcu6Ig36a
— . (@yoQ2M) February 13, 2025
Rodgers tore his Achilles on his second dropback as a Jet in the first game of the 2023 season against the Buffalo Bills. It was a disappointing way to start his much-anticipated Jets tenure.
Rodgers returned for the 2024 season and played in all 17 games. Unfortunately for the Jets, his return resulted in a 5-12 record after he threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
“Yeah, thanks for the heart burn you [gave] Jets fans,” another fan said. “Thanks for letting Jets fans be catfished with your hopes and dreams. Off to the cave with you for your darkness retreat.”
Yeah, thanks for the heart burn you have Jets fans. Thanks for letting Jets fans be catfished with your hopes and dreams. Off to the cave with you for your darkness retreat.
— Badhutx (@badhutx) February 13, 2025
The five wins were the second-fewest in a season for a Rodgers-led team in his career. The only time he finished with fewer wins was in 2017 when the Green Bay Packers went 4-3 before he suffered a season-ending broken collarbone.
“Aka thanks for setting the franchise back two more years,” another fan said. “At least there weren’t any other QBs the last two years coming out of college the Jets would be better with…like Daniels, Nix, Stroud, Williams, Young, Maye McCarthy, Penix… Not having any of those guys was worth it.”
With plenty of young, promising QBs entering the NFL — like Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr. — during Rodgers’ Jets tenure, it can definitely bring into question whether the move was worth it for New York.
Aka thanks for setting the franchise back two more years. At least there weren't any other QBs the last two years coming out of college the Jets would be better with…like Daniels, Nix, Stroud, Williams, Young, Maye McCarthy, Penix… Not having any of those guys was worth it.
— Steve Campbell (@Steve12768) February 13, 2025
The Jets went all in when they acquired Rodgers, bringing in numerous players he used to play with, including Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Tim Boyle, and Davante Adams. In addition to the players, they also brought in Nathaniel Hackett as the offensive coordinator in 2023, as Rodgers won two MVPs with him as the play-caller in Green Bay.
ESPN reporter Bill Barnwell mentioned that the Rodgers experiment cost two second-round picks and $75 million, as well as an additional third-round pick and $11.6 million for Adams. All of that equated to “five wins,” Barnwell said, including Rodgers’ accredited win in 2023, which largely came after his torn Achilles.
Two second-round picks
$75 million
The contracts for Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Tim Boyle
Another third-round pick and $11.6 million for Davante Adams
A year-plus with Nathaniel Hackett as OCFive wins. https://t.co/n4HzrwUwzh
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) February 13, 2025
Rodgers finished 21st in PFSN’s QB+ rankings with a 72.2 (C-) grade. On the season, Rodgers had a -0.02 EPA/DB (27th), ranked 36th from a clean pocket (0.07 EPA/DB), and converted just 33.5% of the time on third downs (ranking 29th).
MORE: 4 Possible Landing Spots for Aaron Rodgers Entering NFL Offseason
Beyond the QB+ data, Rodgers had a 2.5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, his third-worst in 16 seasons as a starter behind 2022 and 2008. That included a 4.8% touchdown rate, his third-lowest as a starter behind the 2019 and 2008 seasons.
Finally, another fan added, “Not every player needs a Thank You post.”
Not every player needs a Thank You post https://t.co/J20fGiO1XA
— Phill (@MeekPhill_) February 13, 2025
The Rodgers era in New York will go down as one of the most disappointing tenures in sports history. While many will presumably call it a “What if?” scenario due to the injury, Jets fans will likely remember his drama-filled stint as frustrating.
The future remains uncertain for Rodgers, as it’s unclear if he will sign with another team or retire. However, despite the rocky tenure in New York, the four-time MVP will presumably one day end up in Canton, Ohio.