Jets reportedly gave Aaron Rodgers ultimatums before offseason decision

It was hardly a surprise to learn that the recently-hired New York Jets regime featuring first-time head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will be moving on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini offered more information on the subject for Tuesday's edition of the "Scoop City" newsletter. 

"When the Jets had conversations with him about a potential return, I was told that they set some boundaries," Russini said about the team's handling of Rodgers' future. "He’d have to attend all training camp practices, and he’d no longer be permitted to do his 'Pat McAfee Show' appearances. It wasn’t nearly like his recruitment from two offseasons ago. More broadly, it makes clear new head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey are putting an emphasis on individual accountability."

Then-Jets head coach Robert Saleh insisted in January 2024 that none of Rodgers' teammates cared about what the 41-year-old said during "McAfee" segments that often went viral. A subsequent report revealed some within the Jets even applauded Rodgers "for having the guts to challenge the mainstream media" and for speaking out about controversial topics such as COVID-19 vaccine mandates. 

However, Russini's update suggests the situation may have changed after Rodgers skipped the club's two-day mandatory minicamp this past June because of a pre-planned trip to Egypt and then struggled during regular-season games while dealing with injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a hamstring issue. In short, it sounds like Glenn and Mougey felt what Rodgers could be as a player this coming fall won't be worth the distractions that come with the future Hall of Famer routinely speaking his mind. 

"I think that, no matter what the Jets were going to say, Aaron Rodgers wanted to move on," Russini added during the latest episode of the "Scoop City" podcast, per Dan Lyons of Sports Illustrated. "I think he was smart to talk to the Jets and say, 'Where do we stand? How does this work?' And maybe if they were on the side of convincing him more, this could have changed, but this wasn't the way it was when they traded for him, when it was exciting (in the spring of 2023)."

Numerous stories began linking Rodgers with quarterback-needy clubs before Christmas Day 2024 even though it's unknown if he'll want to sign with another team this offseason. One can't help but wonder if franchises such as the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans will want to speak with Rodgers about his interview habits before they think about handing him a contract this spring.