The 2024 New York Jets season has turned into a crushing disappointment, not just for fans but for the franchise itself. Once brimming with optimism after the return of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets now sit at 3-9, a far cry from the lofty expectations that defined their preseason narrative. The turmoil didn’t stop there—several key figures in the organization were shown the door. Head coach Robert Saleh was dismissed after a dismal 1-4 start, and general manager Joe Douglas followed suit after another loss in Week 11. With such chaos, rumors swirled about whether Rodgers himself might be shut down for the remainder of the season.
On Monday, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich put those speculations to rest. Addressing reporters, he confirmed Rodgers will remain active through Week 18, signaling that the franchise is committed to salvaging what little remains of this turbulent season. While the team’s playoff hopes are long gone, the decision underscores their reliance on Rodgers as a cornerstone, even in a year that has failed to meet expectations.
Statistically, Rodgers has had a respectable season with 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 63.4% completion rate. But for a player of his caliber, those numbers fall short of the sky-high standards that have defined his career. His performance hasn’t been enough to compensate for a struggling Jets offense, which has further fueled disappointment within the organization and among fans.
The Jets’ playoff drought is now approaching 15 years, with their last appearance in 2010—a vastly different era in both the NFL and the world. That year, they pulled off shocking upsets against Peyton Manning’s Colts and Tom Brady’s Patriots, only to fall to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Since then, the franchise has managed just one winning season, in 2015, narrowly missing the playoffs due to tiebreakers.
Now, as the Jets limp toward the season’s finish line, the focus shifts to what comes next. Will Rodgers remain the face of the franchise in 2025, or will this be his swan song in New York? One thing is clear: the Jets are at a crossroads, and their next moves will determine whether this season’s struggles mark the beginning of a rebuild—or just another chapter in their long search for relevance.
