In probably his last game as a New York Jet and possibly his last game ever, Aaron Rodgers threw his 500th touchdown pass, and the New York Jets (5-12) ended their season on a high note after defeating the Miami Dolphins (8-9) 32-20 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Rodgers was 23/36 for 274 yards and a season-high four touchdowns in the win. After playing one series last season, the 20-year veteran started all 17 games for the Jets this season, which was one of his goals coming into the 2024 season.
“One of my main goals was starting 17 games, so I accomplished that,” Rodgers said after the win. “The other ones I didn’t maybe meet, but I’m thankful for everybody who put me in position to start 17 games.”
In the second quarter, the four-time league MVP became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw 500 touchdowns when he connected with tight end Tyler Conklin on a six-yard touchdown pass.
“Yeah, it was good, that was good,” he said. “It was kind of like old school red zone touchdown like we did for so long in Green Bay where a play breaks down, move up in the pocket, guys keep working. Fun to get Conk (Tyler Conklin) that. Conk is one of the good guys on this team, one of the guys you can count on.”
The Jets, who fired their GM and coach during the season, will have a new front office and coach next season. There’s a good chance that Rodgers won’t be back, and he was asked whether he’ll be back with the team next season.
“I don’t know,” Rodgers said. “I’m looking forward to those conversations with Woody (Johnson) and Christopher (Johnson) and Hymie (Elhai) and Phil (Savage) and anybody else. It feels good to be able to do some of the things in the last five or six weeks that I knew I was capable of doing even at 40 or 41, but either way, I won’t be upset or offended.”
At age 41, Rodgers has only so much time left, but he believes he has the tools to still be successful.
“I know I can still do the things I need to do to be successful,” he said. “It just comes down to the desire on their side and, ultimately, my desire to play. Going to take some time mentally and physically to rest and relax.”
When asked if he would play for another team if the Jets did not bring him back, Rodgers said the following.
“If I want to play—hypothetical number one. If they want to move on—hypothetical number two. Would I be willing to play for another team—hypothetical number three? The answer is yes,” he said.
The last two seasons were a disappointment for Rodgers, but that doesn’t diminish his career achievements. He’s still an all-time great.
We’ll see if Rodgers does return to the league next season, but if he doesn’t, it was a great run!
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