INDIANAPOLIS — The new Jets decision-makers repeatedly expressed their desire to keep good players on their roster on Tuesday.
Apparently, Aaron Rodgers did not qualify.
New general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn met the media here at the NFL Scouting Combine, their first comments since announcing the team was moving on from Rodgers, the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Glenn and Mougey did not offer up much of an explanation for the decision, just saying it was the best decision for the team, but not saying why.
“A.G. and I had a lot of dialogue, a lot of conversations, a lot of good thoughts, and just felt at the end of the day it was the best thing for the Jets moving forward to just go in a different direction at the quarterback position,” Mougey said. “[I have] a lot of respect for Aaron Rodgers as a player and person, first-ballot Hall of Famer, wish him nothing but the best, but that was a decision we made.”
Glenn had even less to say than the GM about the biggest decision he has had to make in his short time on the job. Glenn deferred to Mougey, who spoke before him.
When pressed about whether he believes the Jets can get a better quarterback than Rodgers for this season, he grew agitated about the quarterback questions.
“I don’t want to disrespect any of the other players we have on our team,” Glenn said. “It kind of pisses me off and some of the other players that that’s what we all talk about. You have Quinnen Williams. You have Quincy Williams. You have [Alijah Vera-Tucker]. You have Joe Tippmann. All those guys need to be respected as far as winning games also.”
Rodgers remains on the roster for now. Mougey said the team has not made a final decision on whether to designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut, but that is what they are “likely” to do.
If they do that, they can split his ᴅᴇᴀᴅ money hit on the salary cap to $14 million this year and $35 million in 2026 instead of the full $49 million this season.
If they do want to use the June 1 cut designation, they must wait until the new league year on March 12 to cut him.
While declining to shed much light on the decision, Mougey did say that the Jets never gave Rodgers any parameters about a return. It had been reported the team spoke to Rodgers about no longer appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show” and being more committed to the offseason program if he did return.
“I’m not going to discuss any private discussions that I had with Aaron throughout this process and any private discussion I had with any player, for that matter,” Mougey said. “I’m not here to confirm or deny any rumors that happened during that process. I will say this: There was never an ultimatum or rules of engagement for Aaron to potentially join the Jets again. That never happened.”
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was one player who expressed disappointment in the decision on social media. Glenn said he spoke to Williams.
“I understand the reaction of the players,” Glenn said. “But I will say this, every decision that me and [Mougey] make is to win and to win now. I understand it, but again, this isn’t going to be the last decision that I make that is going to upset some people. That’s OK. As men, we talk about and we make sure we keep it in-house.”
Now, the question is: Where do the Jets turn for a replacement for Rodgers.
Mougey said they will “exhaust all options,” whether that is through the draft or in free agency or in a trade.
“We’re looking for winners,” Glenn said when asked what he is looking for in a quarterback.
The one candidate for the job who is currently on the roster is 35-year-old Tyrod Taylor.
Mougey and Glenn both said they have confidence in Taylor.
“Another player that I’m excited he’s on the roster,” Mougey said. “Coming into this team, I’ve been around a lot of players and coaches that have been around Tyrod, and I heard a lot of good things about him prior to me getting here. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Tyrod a few times. I’m really excited he’s on the team.”
