Jets Captain: Rodgers ‘Gave Us His All’, Has More Good Football Left In Him

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 22, 2024. Luke Hales/Getty Images

New York Jets veteran linebacker and team captain C.J. Mosley said that Aaron Rodgers should not have any regrets about his time with the team.

Appearing on local television station Fox 5 New York Monday, Mosley said that Rodgers gave his all and performed well in his second season on the Jets roster. Reports surfaced on Sunday that the Jets were planning to move on from the 40 year-old veteran. Mosley did not confirm or deny any reporting but said that Rodgers has some good football left to play, wherever he ends up.

“We tried to do something special,” Mosley said on “Good Day New York” via Fox 5 NY host Tina Cervasio. “Injuries took part in that, took away a lot of time. But he did do some great things this year, getting his 500th [passing] touchdown.

“He was a leader—no matter what—when he came into the locker room, when he was with us this year. Nothing but respect for him. To come back from the Achilles [at] 40-plus years old. I know the wins and losses can get in the way of a lot of things that you can accomplish, but there’s no reason for him to leave New York with his head down ‘cause I know he gave us his all.”

If Rodgers does end up leaving, Mosley said he would reach out to the quarterback himself.

Mosley also said that Rodgers still has some good football left in the tank. “We’ve seen him sling the ball around,” Mosley said. “He can definitely still play ball. He was real mobile towards the end of the year, so that was fun to watch. That definitely got the sideline going. Like I said, it’s up to him, but I think he’s definitely still got a year or two in the tank. That’s what he said before everything started.”

Reports surfaced Sunday that Rodgers, in a meeting to discuss his future with the team, was informed that the Jets were moving on from him. The Jets installed a new regime in recent weeks, hiring new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

The Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets in 2023. He signed a restructured three-year deal with the team later that year. On just his fourth snap as a New York Jet in Week 1, Rodgers tore the Achilles tendon in his left foot and did not play another snap for the team that season. Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Tim Boyle all took snaps in relief of Rodgers.

Rodgers took the reins in 2024 and played well: he threw for 3,897 yards, good for 8th place in the league in yards, to go with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 107 yards. He also threw his 500th career touchdown pass, becoming just the 5th quarterback in NFL History with 500 career pass TDs.

Without Rodgers, the Jets continue their long-running QB carousel. The team’s last long-term starter was Chad Pennington, who started 61 games from 2002-2007. Brett Favre, whom Rodgers sat behind his first few years in Green Bay, came out of retirement in 2008 and played one season for the Jets. The Jets drafted Mark Sanchez in 2009, and he played 61 games from 2009-2012; he was the last Jets quarterback to start more than one full season. Geno Smith was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft. He started all of 2013 after Sanchez went down with a shoulder injury, then split time with Michael Vick in 2014. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the full-time starter in 2015, but he split time with Smith and Bryce Petty in 2016. Josh McCown and Bryce Petty split time in 2017. The Jets drafted Sam Darnold in 2018, but he never played a full season: he played 13 games in 2018; 13 in 2019; and 12 in 2020. After moving on from Darnold, New York drafted Zach Wilson. He played 13 games in 2021; 9 games in 2022; and 11 games in 2023. Rodgers started all 17 games in 2024.