New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers' future with the New York Jets gained a little more clarity on Monday.

Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey's view on Rodgers' long-term outlook in New York during the interview process with the team was revealed by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

"Both Glenn and Mougey said when interviewing that they weren't going to look at handling Aaron Rodgers's situation in a black-and-white way, rather saying it needed evaluation and discussion," Breer wrote on Monday. "All that stuff, both with Rodgers and among themselves, can start now."

The Jets hired Glenn, the former defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, on Wednesday before agreeing to terms with Mougey on Saturday. Mougey previously served as the Denver Broncos' assistant general manager.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer previously revealed that he had a conversation with Glenn, as the new head coach planned to meet with Rodgers and come up with a decision regarding his future "much sooner than later."

Brian Schottenheimer's relationship with Dak Prescott was a big factor in the #Cowboys hiring him as HC @JayGlazer has more on the latest head coaching hires ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pMlL4YOhjI

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025

The Jets could be looking for a new option under center after finishing with a 5-12 record in 2024, but it'll be costly to move on from the four-time MVP. If Rodgers is cut or retires before the 2025 season, the Jets will have a $49 million "dead" charge, representing an accumulation of pro-rated bonuses from prior years (h/t ESPN's Rich Cimini).

The 41-year-old's Pro Bowl days may be behind him, but he was still a serviceable option compared to New York's other quarterbacks over the past decade. In 17 starts, Rodgers completed 63 percent of his throws for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions.

Rodgers. Davante. Storybook stuff.

📺: #MIAvsNYJ on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/1Tyk2ivGNY

— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025

Following the Jets' final game of the regular season, the signal-caller confirmed that he'd make a decision with the team "before it gets too late in the offseason."

With both Glenn and Mougey now officially hired, they can commence with evaluating Rodgers' outlook in New York.

Aaron Glenn, the new head coach of the New York Jets, is hoping to have clarity on Aaron Rodgers' plans in the near future.

"Talked to Aaron Glenn this morning," Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Sunday. "He said, 'I plan to go meet with Aaron Rodgers and we'll definitely come up with a decision much sooner than later. I don't want to drag this out.'"

Brian Schottenheimer's relationship with Dak Prescott was a big factor in the #Cowboys hiring him as HC @JayGlazer has more on the latest head coaching hires ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pMlL4YOhjI

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 26, 2025

There are a lot of moving parts in the Rodgers situation.

First and foremost—does Rodgers want to play in 2025? And if he does, will he want to return to the Jets? Does the team even want him back, or would it prefer to start fresh at the position yet again?

From @NFLGameDay: #Raiders new coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson have remained close, and Wilson is a strong option in Las Vegas; Plus, the conversations will now begin about whether Aaron Rodgers will be back with the #Jets and new coach Aaron Glenn. pic.twitter.com/7Qo1T0oPES

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 26, 2025

"I think they have to entertain Aaron Rodgers."@DanOrlovsky7 explains why he believes the Jets may not move on from their veteran QB just yet 👀 pic.twitter.com/9mhGG6pn5T

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 22, 2025

Rodgers was solid if unspectacular in the 2025 season, throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes and taking 40 sacks. In the short term, there probably aren't many better options for the Jets, and going the route of cutting Rodgers and signing a player like former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold wouldn't be feasible for two main reasons.

One, the Jets only currently have $19.6 million in cap space. Two, there are the complications of Rodgers' current contract to consider.

As ESPN's Rich Cimini reported in December, "If Rodgers doesn't play for the Jets in 2025—if he's cut or retires—the Jets have a $49 million 'dead' charge, which is an accumulation of pro-rated bonuses from past years. That's a substantial cap hit, more than double his cap charge if he's on the roster ($23.5 million)."

Now, that could be spread out over two years if he's a post-June 1 cut, resulting in a dead cap hit of $14 million next season and $35 million in 2026.

If he's retained for the 2025 season, however, the cap implications are even more grim.

As Cimini noted, "While the cap charge ($23.5 million) would be manageable, they'd have to pay him a $35 million option bonus by the first regular-season game in addition to a $2.5 million base salary. ... If he does come back for one year, the dead charge balloons to $63 million in 2026. The reason for the increase is the option bonus, which would be pro-rated for cap purposes over the length of the contract (the void years) and then accelerate into 2026 upon his departure."

One option would be to renegotiate the terms of that bonus—though that would only kick the can down the line, potentially saddling the Jets with the bill for even more years to come—or ask Rodgers to take a pay cut, which Rodgers would likely meet with a scoff and a quick "no thanks."

For now, Glenn wants clarity on Rodgers' future, which makes sense as he prepares for his first year as the head coach. But the Jets also have some interesting problems to solve when figuring out a long-term plan at the position.

After a 13-year run with the Denver Broncos, Darren Mougey will join the New York Jets as their new general manager.

IT'S OFFICIAL! We’ve hired Darren Mougey as our new General Manager.

📰: https://t.co/V7X5JLY7CF pic.twitter.com/on6mb0tqXF

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 26, 2025

"Darren is a trusted NFL executive who has experience working with an impressive collection of football leaders," Jets Chairman Woody Johnson said in a release by the team. "He is a proven talent evaluator who impressed us with his vision for this team. His partnership with Coach Glenn will revitalize this organization. I am proud of the thorough search we undertook and that it led us to the two best individuals to lead our football team going forward."

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported Saturday that the Jets hired Mougey on the heels of hiring Aaron Glenn to be their new head coach earlier this week.

Mougey had a brief NFL career as a player from 2009 to 2010, spending time with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals during the offseason.

The 39-year-old shifted to the personnel side in 2012 when he was hired as a scouting intern for the Broncos. He remained with the club for the next 13 seasons, eventually getting promoted to assistant general manager in 2022.

Mougey leaves Denver with a championship in tow from Super Bowl 50 during the 2015 season.

New York cleaned house during the 2024 season when they fired Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh. The moves, made six weeks apart, came as the team was in the midst of its ninth straight losing season and missing the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season.

Now that the Jets have landed on Mougey as their next general manager, there is one big decision for him to figure out related to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers did close the 2024 season playing decently, but it came after weeks of him looking like a 41-year-old quarterback coming off a torn Achilles.

Mougey may also not want the task of trying to build a team around a quarterback who will be 41 years old for most of the 2025 season.

Whatever direction Mougey decides to take the Jets at quarterback, there's a solid talent foundation in place around that position. Sauce Gardner, Will McDonald IV and Quinnen Williams are very good on the defensive side of the ball. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall had great seasons when Zach Wilson was running the offense.

The cupboard isn't totally bare for Mougey right now. He just has to put all of the pieces in place, while still making moves during the offseason that get this roster closer to being a contender so the Jets can end the longest-active playoff drought in the NFL.

The New York Jets are under new leadership with head coach Aaron Glenn officially aboard and Denver Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey reportedly in the mix to become general manager, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.

Now the question is how the team will handle the quarterback position. Aaron Rodgers has one year left on his deal, and it's conceivable that the 41-year-old either retires or the Jets part ways with him.

On the latest Scoop City podcast, The Athletic's Dianna Russini offered some thoughts (18:15 mark): "I don't know exactly what Aaron Glenn—how he feels about Aaron Rodgers. But, I can tell you that it would not surprise me if the Jets turn the page on Aaron Rodgers and move on."

New York brought Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, in with great fanfare in 2023, and expectations were sky-high. However, Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles a few plays into his debut season and missed the remainder of the year.

He came back healthy in 2024, but the Jets went just 5-12 as dysfunction reigned all season and led to the midseason firings of both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.

Rodgers certainly fared well statistically, accounting for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns (11 interceptions). But one can surmise that the Jets may want to have a fresh start here and move into a new era as New York looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

It's not abundantly clear who QB1 could be for the Jets in 2025, especially given that the team sits No. 7 overall and could very well miss out on Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders in the draft. But at this point, it seems questionable at best that Rodgers will be serving as the Jets' starting quarterback next year.

Having officially hired Aaron Glenn as their next head coach, the New York Jets are quickly pivoting to assemble his coaching staff.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported Thursday that Glenn has started reaching out to prospective candidates who could join him in the Big Apple, including targets for offensive coordinator.

When it comes to that role, Rosenblatt said New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Scott Turner and Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nick Caley "are on his shortlist of contenders for the job." Caley was singled out as the "favorite."

Rosenblatt proceeded to list off additional coaches who have been linked with the Jets for the OC vacancy:

• Thomas Brown, Chicago Bears interim coach 
• Jerrod Johnson, Houston Texans quarterbacks coach 
• Todd Haley, former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator
• Mark Brunell, Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach 
• Josh McCown, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach 
• Anthony Lynn, Washington Commanders run game coordinator 
• Pete Carmichael, Denver Broncos senior offensive assistant 
• J.T. Barrett, Detroit Lions assistant quarterbacks coach 
• John Morton, Denver Broncos passing game coordinator

It sounds like Glenn is casting a wide net when looking to who will guide an offense that's in a major state of flux.

For now, Aaron Rodgers remains under contract with the Jets. How long that stays the case is another matter. Rosenblatt reported the team won't make a final decision on the four-time MVP until it hires a new general manager.

I would pay $50 to see Aaron Glenn and Aaron Rodgers meet each other for the first time.

— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) January 22, 2025

Keeping Rodgers would present a challenge for whoever takes over as the OC because his skills are clearly diminishing. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and the team won five games with him as the starter.

Should the Jets cut Rodgers, they would be entering the unknown because they don't have an internal successor. Having the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft means they'd need to trade up in order to get one of the top QBs available, while free agency doesn't present any great solutions, either.

Then there's the general dysfunction around the organization that spawned multiple damning reports from The Athletic. As respected as Glenn is,

Especially when it comes to candidates already working as offensive coordinators, Glenn might have to make a compelling pitch for why the Jets OC job is so attractive.

A final decision on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' future with the New York Jets is reportedly on hold until the organization fills a key position in its front office.

According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Rodgers' standing with the Jets will not be determined until they hire a general manager to replace Joe Douglas, who was fired in November.

The Jets also fired head coach Robert Saleh in October amid a 2-3 start, but they officially filled their head coaching vacancy Wednesday with the hiring of former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Rosenblatt noted that while Rodgers' status won't be fully decided until a GM is in place, the quarterback situation was likely a major topic of discussion during head coaching interviews and in GM interviews thus far.

As a result, Glenn "likely has an idea of what he wants to do," and it stands to reason that the Jets will hire a general manager who is aligned with Glenn on that front.

Rodgers, 41, is a four-time NFL MVP who spent his first 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before the Jets acquired him prior to the 2023 season.

Hopes were high for Rodgers in New York, but he suffered a torn Achilles during the Jets' first offensive series of the 2023 season, prompting him to miss the rest of the campaign.

Rodgers returned to start all 17 games in 2024, completing 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. While solid on the surface, the numbers paled in comparison to his past production, and they didn't result in overall team success, as the Jets went a disappointing 5-12 and missed the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season.

And @T_Conk1 grabs that TD pass for @AaronRodgers12' 500th!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/05Wqv0FGY3

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 5, 2025

After the Jets defeated the Miami Dolphins 32-20 in Week 18, Rodgers acknowledged that it may have been the final game of his illustrious career.

Per Rosenblatt, Rodgers has yet to decide if he wants to play in 2025, which means he could choose to retire even if Glenn and the incoming GM want him back.

Rodgers' Jets tenure may come down to whether Jets owner Woody Johnson is heavily involved in the decision-making process.

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that Johnson brought up the idea of benching Rodgers back in September. One source told Cimini the suggestion was "said in jest in a provocative nature," but another said Johnson "appeared to be serious."

If Johnson wants Rodgers gone or if Rodgers simply doesn't want to play for the Jets anymore, it will leave the franchise in a quandary at the quarterback position.

With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, they likely aren't picking high enough to land a top QB, and the free-agent class doesn't appear particularly appealing on the quarterback front.

The Jets' best option may be to utilize Tyrod Taylor as a bridge starter for one year, at which point they could potentially get their quarterback of the future in the 2026 draft.

Rodgers suggested that a decision will likely be made prior to the start of free agency in March, meaning Rodgers could be one of the top free-agent quarterbacks on the market if the Jets cut him and he wants to continue playing elsewhere.

The New York Jets know who their next head coach is going to be.

The Jets are hiring former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their next head coach, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday. The move was celebrated by franchise icon Joe Namath:

I’m hoping all @nyjets fans are as thrilled as my family and I are that Aaron Glenn is our new Head Coach. I wish the season would start next week!

— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) January 22, 2025

Despite the enthusiasm permeating through the fan base, there are still very real questions about who the team's quarterback will be when Glenn makes his Jets coach debut in Week 1 next season.

According to New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay, Glenn "would like to keep" veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in New York.

Per Michael Kay, Aaron Glenn would want to keep Rodgers.

What do you think?#Jets #aaronglenn #aaronrodgers #nfl pic.twitter.com/s1urk7lvsV

— JetCast (@JetCastPod) January 22, 2025

That report has led to debate as whether the Glenn hiring indicates Rodgers will be sticking around for another season in Gotham green.

Rodgers has one season remaining on his current deal but hasn't yet committed to returning for a 21st NFL season.

Good move #Jets

The BIGGEST questions now are who becomes the OC and what to do with Aaron Rodgers? https://t.co/mu2GTTE3ec

— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) January 22, 2025

Aaron rodgers finally has help

— mat ✰ (@xzernias_) January 22, 2025

Aaron Rodgers announces his retirement by 6:07 ET today https://t.co/bhNmh0CHbb

— Michael Ritter (@MikeSteveRitter) January 22, 2025

Cut Aaron Rodgers for us https://t.co/se5fJCCHfW

— John Whiticar (@Whiticar) January 22, 2025

Done Deal!!!!!!
Happy For Him
Fire Aaron Rodgers
There’s Only Room For One A-A-Ron In Town!!! https://t.co/w20ZfHm3To

— JESSE (With No “i”) (@Mr4thAndLong) January 22, 2025

I honestly hope it works out for Aaron Glenn with the @nyjets but in my opinion that doesn’t happen with Aaron Rodgers as the starting QB.

— Ryan Glasgow, M.Ed. (@ADCoachG) January 22, 2025

There is some built-in job security for Aaron Glenn if he keeps Aaron Rodgers with the Jets next year as he can simply blame everything on Rodgers if Year 1 doesn't go well

— Andrew Cooper (@CoopAFiasco) January 22, 2025

Really happy for Aaron Glenn. Can't think of a coach that deserves it moire. He is going to kill it in New York. Look forward to him cutting Aaron Rodgers as well.

— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) January 22, 2025

Aaron Glenn bringing over Mark Brunell just makes me think even more this team will be prioritize drafting a QB who can be mentored by Aaron Rodgers this season. https://t.co/UpxSyfGwA7

— Sports Aficionado (@Stocksanyama) January 22, 2025

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Glenn "is already busy assembling his new staff with the Jets."

Glenn's reported targets include Mark Brunell, who has served as the Lions' quarterback coach since 2021, and former Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown, according to Schultz.

Rodgers has made it clear that whoever the Jets hire to lead the team in 2025 will impact his decision to potentially return.

"I think everybody understands that it's going to come down to a GM and a coach and myself and whether we all want to do a dance together or if it's not in the cards," Rodgers said last week on the Pat McAfee Show (h/t ESPN's Rich Cimini.)

The Jets have reportedly expressed interest in former Detroit Lions executive and Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark as a candidate for the team's next general manager, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported after Glenn's hiring that the team plans to continue GM interviews.

Whoever replaces former general manager Joe Douglas will dictate what the Jets do with their No. 7 pick in the upcoming draft. Whoever is hired by Glenn as offensive coordinator could have a say in who competes for QB1 next season.

Those two upcoming hires could shape whether Rodgers remains part of Glenn's roster as the former DC heads into his first season as an NFL head coach.

The New York Jets are hiring Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their head coach, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Glenn agreed to a five-year deal that will tie him to the Jets through 2029, Schefter reported.

A new coach in New York: Jets are hiring former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, per sources.

The former Jets 1994 first-round pick, who became a personnel scout for the team, now is becoming their head coach. pic.twitter.com/eb3nu7it5C

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2025

The Jets later confirmed the news:

Let's gooooooo!

OFFICIAL: We’ve agreed to terms with Aaron Glenn to become the Head Coach of the New York Jets.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 22, 2025

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks is "among the strong candidates" to join Glenn's staff in New York. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz offered more insight on the potential makeup of Glenn's roster of assistants:

Sources say Aaron Glenn is already busy assembling his new staff with the #Jets, which includes the following targets:

- Steve Wilks as DC
- Mark Brunell
- Chris Banjo as Special Teams coach
- Former Bears interim HC Thomas Brown
- Former Chiefs HC Todd Haley
- Mike Westhoff,… https://t.co/kg66Qv2qet

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2025

The Lions will receive a compensatory third-round draft pick in each of the next two drafts by virtue of the Jets' hire.

Glenn was reportedly expected to interview with the New Orleans Saints if he did not reach a deal with New York.

The Jets entered the 2024 season having missed the playoffs 13 straight seasons. Hopes ran high with the return of a healthy Aaron Rodgers, a four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler, after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.

However, they got off to a tough start in 2024, going 2-3.

That included a two-game losing streak starting with a 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos in which the Jets (a) managed just three field goals and (b) fell to a team that managed just 60 passing yards.

New York then fell 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings in London. That game featured three interceptions from Rodgers, who saw one of his picks returned for a touchdown.

Two days later, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh, whose tenure of three-plus years ended with him going 20-36. He was the sixth straight Jets head coach to finish with a losing record.

New York then turned to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to be the team's interim head coach. The Jets went 3-9 under him to finish the year 5-12.

The 52-year-old Glenn was once a star cornerback for the Jets, playing with the team from 1994 to 2001 and making two Pro Bowls. He was a Pro Bowler in 1998 when the Jets went 12-4 and reached the AFC Championship Game.

Glenn played NFL cornerback from 1994 to 2008, also suiting up for the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars and Saints.

Six years after his playing days ended, Glenn became an NFL coach. He started with the Cleveland Browns (assistant defensive backs coach) before moving to New Orleans and becoming their defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020. He then headed to Detroit for the defensive coordinator job alongside head coach Dan Campbell.

Glenn's best job has been this year, with the team finishing with a top-10 scoring defense despite a host of injuries, including superstar edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson missing 11-plus games with a broken tibia and fibula.

Linebackers Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez, cornerback Carlton Davis and defensive lineman Alim McNeill also landed on injured reserve during the year.

Now Glenn gets a well-deserved shot at being a head coach as he returns to the Jets and hopes to restore the team to being a playoff contender once again.

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is considered "a potential favorite" to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Saleh is scheduled to meet with Jaguars owner Shahid Khan and general manager Trent Baalke in Jacksonville on Friday, according to Schultz.

Sources: Former #Jets HC Robert Saleh is flying into Jacksonville on Thursday for a Friday meeting with Shad Khan, Trent Baalke, and others.

With Liam Coen out of the running, many around the league view Saleh as a potential favorite — though it wouldn’t be surprising if the… pic.twitter.com/PaZjtEyLCq

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2025

Saleh was one of three coaches set for second interviews with the Jaguars heading into Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

That list dwindled to just Saleh and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham after Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took himself "out of the running" for the job, Schefter reported Wednesday.

Coen was set to meet with the Jaguars on Wednesday, per Schefter.

Schefter reported that Coen would instead stay with the Buccaneers after signing a deal that will make him one of "the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL."

The Jaguars initially conducted head coaching interviews with seven other candidates in addition to Coen, Graham and Saleh.

Some of those candidates are already off the table. Ben Johnson, formerly the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, has been hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears. The New York Jets are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

The Jags could still decide to return to other candidates still in the playoffs, such as Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo or Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, for a second interview.

Jacksonville is seeking a replacement for former head coach Doug Pederson, who was fired after leading the Jaguars to a 4-13 record in his third season with the franchise.

Saleh is meanwhile looking to return to head coaching after his midseason firing by the Jets, who dismissed him following the team's 2-3 start to the 2024 season.

The former New York head coach was reportedly surprised by his dismissal, and the Jets weren't able to find much success without him. Under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets finished the season 3-9 and missed the playoffs for a 14th straight season.

Saleh served as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator for four seasons before joining the Jets in 2021. His experience could make him an appealing candidate to turn around one of the worst defensive teams in NFL this season.

That doesn't match what Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence described when he said last week he wants "a young, offensive coach" to come to Jacksonville. If the Jags continue pursuing coaches with offensive backgrounds following Coen's backing out, Moore or Brady could receive second interview requests when they become available.