Jets Approaching an Awkward Decision

For Aaron Rodgers, it’s probably going to happen again.

Jets Approaching an Awkward Decision

Rodgers may or may not be back in 2025 — his contract suggests he’ll return — and in either scenario, the New York Jets will likely have to pick a quarterback somewhere high in the 2025 NFL Draft. Why? Well, after Rodgers on the depth chart, New York has no heir apparent after jettisoning Zach Wilson last offseason.

The Green Bay Packers did the same thing to Rodgers in 2020 — mostly without telling him beforehand — and that’s how his former team landed Jordan Love in Round 1. Too, Rodgers’ current employment with the Jets is largely because Green Bay decided to take the plunge with Love as QB1.

And unless the Jets wish to roll with Rodgers sans a contingency plan for the future, New York will scour April’s class for a post-Rodgers option at quarterback.

At the moment, if the NFL draft occurred tomorrow, New York would select 10th, which wouldn’t be awful for the quarterback plan. The Minnesota Vikings found J.J. McCarthy at the spot last April, and most onlookers decided that McCarthy looked promising for the future despite a torn meniscus in the preseason. Long story short, the Jets’ current — and stinky — win-loss record suggests that they’re tunneling toward a Top 10 or Top 15 pick.

The quarterback crop will be there, too. Although the 2025 class isn’t as tightly touted as last year’s with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix, the group isn’t horrible — like the 2022 class, for example. Everyone knew the 2022 class was wimpy for quarterback talent, and the only man who emerged as a winner was Mister Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.

Per initial draft scouting — that will change mightily in the next six months and is constantly evolving — this 1st-3rd Round quarterback options may look like this:

• Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
• Cam Ward (Miami)
• Quinn Ewers (Texas)
• Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
• Carson Beck (Georgia)

Of course, the Jets could continue winning games after a Thursday Night Football triumph over the Houston Texans in Week 9. Their schedule is rather easy compared to the NFL. A record closer to .500 — New York’s record is 3-6 now — would make the quarterback draft selection a bit muddier.

But nothing changes the awkward quarterback need, especially if Rodgers returns for Year No. 21. He’ll have to oblige a newcomer learning behind him. That’s the state of play for a soon-to-be 41-year-old.

Maybe the front office will even tell him about it this time.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.