Aaron Rodgers delivers apologetic message to Jets fans

The New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers experiment was a clear failure on the part of everyone associated with the organization over the last two years.

What began as a dream quickly became a nightmare four plays into Rodgers’ debut. In the two years that Rodgers was a member of the team, the Jets won 12 games, with the four-time NFL MVP fully participating in just five of those victories.

Under a new regime, New York opted against bringing back the 41-year-old Rodgers for another go-round in 2025. Instead, the future Hall-of-Famer signed a free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason.

Adding further intrigue to the departure is the fact that Rodgers and the Steelers will travel to MetLife Stadium to take on the Jets in Week 1.

It’s a reunion that is circled on everyone’s calendar.

But as Rodgers said on Adam Schein’s Monday afternoon show, the perceived animosity between the signal-caller and his former team may be misplaced by some in and out of the organization.

Aaron Rodgers speaks out on Jets return

Since New York opted to release Rodgers during the offseason, the veteran signal-caller has spoken out against how the Jets handled themselves as a professional football team.

In many ways, Rodgers felt he was merely fighting a losing battle to make the Jets relevant.

But as the months have gone on and an opening day matchup draws closer, Rodgers has taken a more appreciative approach to his time in New York – while also taking some responsibility for it all crumbling down.

“I really embraced my time there,” Rodgers said. “I really wanted to win there, I really did. I have a lot of appreciation for the special moments…I’m sorry it didn’t work out but I’m thankful for the couple special moments that were had.”

In 18 games played with the Jets, Rodgers completed 62.9% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He finished the 2024 season ranked 28th out of 36 quarterbacks in QBR (48.0) and led the team to a 5-12 record.

There weren’t many special moments in New York when the Cal product was leading the way. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t appreciate the work everyone put into changing Gang Green’s culture.

During his time with Schein, Rodgers reminisced about the one moment above all else that remains exceptional to the quarterback.

“There weren’t a ton of them, but one of the coolest moments, unfortunately, four plays later was all taken away, but running out on that field… it was a special night,” Rodgers said.

At the very least, the Jets organization should move into its Week 1 contest with little animosity towards its former captain. After all, there is none of it coming from Rodgers’ direction.

“Probably nowhere near where it might be made out,” Rodgers responded when asked by Schein about what it will be like facing his former team. “A lot has changed over there, coaching staff-wise, player-wise. Obviously, I have friendships over there, but it’s one game out of 17, and five o’clock Eastern on that Sunday, it’s only going to be on to the next game. So that’s just the way it is.”

Jets fans will forever be haunted by the failings of the Rodgers era. However, a new era has dawned because of those failings – one that may just be able to accomplish what Rodgers could not.