Aaron Rodgers spent two seasons with the New York Jets but failed to lead the struggling team into the NFL Playoffs before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2025
06:52 ET, 24 Oct 2025
Aaron Rodgers had two unsuccessful seasons at the Jets before joining the Steelers
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Aaron Rodgers had two unsuccessful seasons at the Jets before joining the Steelers(Image: Getty)
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has no regrets over releasing Aaron Rodgers in the offseason despite the four-time NFL MVP's electric start to life in Pittsburgh with the Steelers.
Rodgers, 41, joined the Jets from the Green Bay Packers in 2023. The New Jersey-based franchise had hopes of Rodgers leading the team to its first playoff birth since 2010. However, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury four snaps into his Jets debut against the Buffalo Bills.
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Rodgers returned in 2024, but the one-time Super Bowl winner was only able to record a 5-12 record, which placed them well out of playoff contention. The Jets then decided to part ways with Rodgers and sign free agent Justin Fields. Rodgers spent most of the offseason pondering his next move, whether it was joining another franchise or retiring from the NFL.
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He finally decided to sign with the Steelers, replacing Fields in Pittsburgh, who had replaced him in New Jersey. In six games, Rodgers has a 4-2 record, with the Steelers sitting pretty at the top of the AFC North ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and the faltering Baltimore Ravens.
In comparison, the Jets are 0-7 with Fields as quarterback. Fields was benched at halftime in the 6-13 defeat to the Carolina Panthers, leading to Jets owner Johnson declaring: "It's hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that we've got.
"He's got the ability, but something is not jibing. If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you're going to see similar results."
"If we could just complete a pass, it would look good," Johnson added. "You gotta convince them that you could do something. Otherwise, it's hard to have a game that you could win."
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson talks with Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on October 01, 2023
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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson talks with Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on October 01, 2023(Image: Getty)
Still, Johnson also stands by his decision to release Rodgers following the 2024 season's conclusion. "I never look back," Johnson said. "You have to look forward to football.
"Even when you cut players, they could be a Hall of Famer. You just never know. But Aaron's playing great now. He's in a situation that's working for him."
Fields hasn't taken Jets owner Johnson's comments to heart. He says he's focused on improving the team's results. "I wasn't. I'm not on social media. It doesn't bother me," Fields said.
Woody Johnson slammed quarterback Justin Fields for struggling to complete a pass.
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Woody Johnson slammed quarterback Justin Fields for struggling to complete a pass.(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
"Everybody knows I need to play better, we need to play better as a team, but it doesn't matter how the offense does as a unit. I'm gonna get the blame."
"That's what comes with the job... so you can't let anything kind of affect your mind, my mind," Fields added. "No matter if it's him, no matter if it's family members, even teammates sometimes.
"There's going to be times where you have to be the only one who believes in yourself. That's his opinion."
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The Jets hit the road on Sunday with a trip to divisional rivals, the Bengals, who toppled Rodgers and the Steelers last week. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco will lead the Bengals' offense.