Aaron Glenn’s shocking decision over Aaron Rodgers-Jets has been leaked.
Former NFL offensive lineman Lomas Brown isn’t the only one who believes that new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already made up his mind to keep quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the upcoming season. ESPN radio host and New York Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay has also reportedly received similar information, suggesting that Glenn is intent on keeping the veteran quarterback on the team.
Kay shared this insight on his radio show Tuesday, the day before Glenn’s hiring was officially announced. He mentioned that there have been rumors circulating—leaks, as he called them—that Aaron Glenn has expressed a clear desire to retain Rodgers. “And there is word out there, there’s been leaks I’ve heard that whatever they pay Aaron Glenn, he’s made it known that he would like to keep Aaron Rodgers,” Kay said. His comments echo those of Brown, who had the opportunity to observe Glenn closely as a commentator for the Detroit Lions’ broadcasts over the past four years. Brown, who has seen Glenn’s coaching firsthand, is confident that Rodgers will remain a part of the Jets’ plans. “I do believe that if Aaron [Glenn] comes there, Aaron [Rodgers] is gonna be [his] quarterback,” Brown stated on ESPN New York’s “Bart & Carlin” show.
While many around the NFL expected the Jets to move in a different direction at quarterback following a disappointing season, both Kay and Brown suggest that Glenn may be looking to build around Rodgers. The Jets’ 2024 season was marred by a lackluster 5-12 record, and while many factors contributed to their struggles, Rodgers’ performance certainly played a role. The 41-year-old QB, who has had illustrious MVP seasons in the past, showed signs of decline in 2024. He completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—significant drops from his usual production.
Rodgers’ contract also complicates matters for the Jets. He carries a cap hit of $23.5 million for the 2025 season. If the team were to cut him before June 1, they would face a massive $49 million dead cap charge, which would make it difficult to free up any cap space. If they were to wait until after June 1, they would still incur a significant dead cap charge but could spread it over the next two seasons—$14 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026—while saving $9.5 million in cap space, according to The Athletic.
Kay, however, believes that the Jets’ best path forward involves bringing Rodgers back and giving him a fresh start with new coaching. He argues that with Glenn in charge, Rodgers will finally be coached effectively in 2025, something that was lacking during much of 2024. “He’s going to hire at least a smart offensive mind—then (Rodgers is) going to be coached,” Kay remarked. He also speculated about the potential power dynamic between Glenn and Rodgers, acknowledging the possibility that the quarterback might push back on Glenn’s leadership. “Maybe when Aaron Glenn sits him down and says, ‘We’re going to do it my way. You’re not running the show,’ maybe Aaron Rodgers says, ‘You know what? I want out,’” Kay added. “Maybe Aaron Rodgers wants to pull all the levers. Who knows?”
As the Jets move forward with Glenn at the helm, the next major decision will be hiring a general manager to support the new coach. Currently, Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark is viewed as the frontrunner for the position. This GM hire will be crucial, as they will play an essential role in helping Glenn and team owner Woody Johnson decide the future direction of the franchise, including the quarterback situation. For now, it seems the Jets are leaning towards keeping Rodgers, but whether that decision holds remains to be seen, depending on the dynamics of the coaching staff and the team’s broader strategy.