The Aaron Rodgers saga took another twist on Sunday.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the veteran quarterback is considered a ‘long shot’ by the New York Jets to return next season.
Rapoport dropped the bombshell claim hours ahead of the Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“Is Aaron Rodgers going to be the Jets quarterback in 2025?” he asked during an appearance on NFL GameDay.
“You mention the money: None guaranteed but they do owe him a $35million option bonus if they decide to bring him back.
“My understanding is that Rodgers right now is considered a long shot to return to the Jets.
“Those conversations will happen with the new powerbrokers after the year but that is my understanding of where it stands right now.”
If Rodgers does depart the Jets, he will face a tough decision about his NFL future.
Turning 41 on Monday, he has struggled during his time with New York and could decide to call time on his impressive career, which saw him named the league’s MVP on four occasions.
And earlier this week, respected NFL veteran and two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy urged Rodgers to hang up his boots, suggesting he has ‘nothing left to offer.’
“We’ve been lied to so much already,” McCoy said.
“They told us that this guy was gonna be the savior of the Jets. All they need was a quarterback, great defense. This, that in the third, and then we get here, and he’s having a worse year than Zach Wilson.
“What is there to offer? Production-wise, what did he do?
“A guy with this type of experience, a guy with this type of leadership, he tried to elevate the team. I didn’t see that. It was chaotic the whole year.
“I think he was a phenomenal player in his time, has a great resume. MVPs, a championship. But retire, you know?”
There has been plenty of talk around Rodgers’ future this year, especially as the 3-8 Jets have already fired former head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.
Last week, the veteran QB responded to claims that he was looking to play in 2025, but not for the Jets.
“As far as my future goes, I haven’t told anybody in my life that I want to play in 2025 and not on the Jets,” he told The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.
“That’s 100 per cent false and I actually said the opposite. I’m going to wait and see what happens at the end of the season and if they want me back.”
While Rodgers has fired back at the speculation, Rapoport’s latest report adds further fuel to the fire – and suggests the circus around the QB won’t be going away any time soon.
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