Jets officially moving on from Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers came to the Jets with so much hype, hoopla and hope in 2023 — and he added to it, saying in his introductory news conference that the franchise’s only Super Bowl trophy “is looking a little lonely.”

But the future Hall of Fame quarterback wasn’t able to contribute anything to the trophy case or even get them to the playoffs, and the Jets officially announced on Thursday that they are moving on from him.

The four-time MVP appeared in 18 games as a Jet and was a part of only six victories. His two seasons  were marked by injury, unfulfilled promise, drama and disappointment.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey met with Rodgers last week about his future and informed him that he wasn’t a part of theirs.

The Jets no longer are Aaron Rodgers’ team. They’re Aaron Glenn’s now.

“Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” Glenn and Mougey said in a statement released by the team. “It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures.

“We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”

The Jets could release Rodgers and take a $49 million dead-money charge on their 2025 salary cap or designate him as a post-June 1 release. That would allow them to split the cap hit over two seasons — $14 million in 2025 and $35 million for 2026.

If the Jets choose the latter, as expected, they would have to carry him on the roster until March 12, when the new league year starts. He could sign with another team after that.

It’s clear that Glenn is trying to change the culture and wants players who are fully committed. Rodgers is an all-time great quarterback who cares about winning, but he has shown he can be a distraction.

A report in The Athletic said Rodgers was told that if he came back, he couldn’t appear on “The Pat McAfee Show” anymore and that he couldn’t skip the offseason program.

Rodgers chose to take a trip to Egypt last year rather than attend the Jets’ mandatory minicamp. Former coach Robert Saleh fined him.

He also made headlines from his weekly appearances on McAfee’s program with his comments on the Jets’ organization, his opinions on Dr. Anthony Fauci and the COVID-19 vaccinations, and linking Jimmy Kimmel to Jeffrey Epstein, among other subjects.

On the field, Rodgers had one of the best seasons for a quarterback in Jets history in 2024. He set a franchise record with 368 completions and had the third-most touchdown passes (28) and passing yards (3,897) of any Jets quarterback.

But the Jets finished 5-12 and missed the postseason for the 14th consecutive year. Saleh was fired in October and general manager Joe Douglas was axed in November.

Rodgers was acquired from Green Bay two years ago, and his first season was over shortly after it started. He tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into Week 1. He rehabbed feverishly in an attempt to return that season, but with the Jets out of playoff contention, he was shut down.

“I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets,” chairman Woody Johnson said in a statement released by the team. “His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career.

“From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”

The Jets will be in the market for a quarterback now.

Tyrod Taylor, Rodgers’ backup this past season, is under contract. The Jets could turn to him for 2025.

Other possibilities include Justin Fields — who played with Garrett Wilson for Ohio State — and Kirk Cousins.

The Jets also could try to trade up from seventh in the draft into the top three to take a quarterback. If not, they could select a quarterback on the second day of the draft.

Rodgers’ departure likely means Davante Adams also has played his last game as a Jet. He pushed Las Vegas to trade him to the Jets in October so he could reunite with Rodgers. Releasing Adams would clear $29.8 million from the Jets’ cap.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.