Jets' elimination from playoffs should signal end of Aaron Rodgers era

Coming into Sunday's game against the Dolphins, the Jets' chances to make the playoffs were nearly nonexistent, but still there. However, their elimination felt inevitable as the Dolphins marched down the field in the first possession of overtime. 

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with tight end Jonnu Smith for the game-winning touchdown to end the Jets' slim playoff hopes.

Rodgers threw for 339 passing yards and recorded one touchdown. He ended his day with a 104.5 passer rating and no interceptions, so the blame can't solely be placed on the quarterback. However, this was Rodgers first 300-yard game since December 2021 against the Chicago Bears. 

While Rodgers missed all of 2023 after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, the future Hall of Fame quarterback hasn't done enough for the team in 2024.

"Yeah, the expectations were high, and we didn't reach them. Not anywhere close," Rodgers said in a post-game news conference. "We just didn't figure out how to win enough games; I didn't play good enough in crunch times, and that's why we're sitting here with the record we've got." 

The 3-10 Jets are now looking to the future, and that likely doesn't include Rodgers. According to a report from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Jets, most likely, will look to draft a young quarterback regardless of Rodgers' status next year. 

His role now is that of a bridge quarterback, but with the Jets eliminated again, there doesn't seem to be much point in keeping the controversial quarterback around in 2025.

Reports have suggested that team owner Woody Johnson wants a fresh start at quarterback, head coach and general manager next season. Rodgers, himself, has mentioned his future is murky after rumors surfaced that he could swap New York teams and fill in for the New York Giants. 

Ultimately, with the team in the same spot they've been in for the past 14 years after going all in on Rodgers, it shows that the short-lived Rodgers era is at its end.