The 2024 season for the New York Jets is mercifully almost ever as they have one more contest left against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at 4:25pm ET. The game could mean a lot for the Dolphins who have a path into the playoffs, but it will be up to the Jets to find some internal motivation to put up a fight against their divisional rivals.
For some players, it will be the last time they suit up for the Jets in their careers. The offseason is bound to come with a lot of changes and a lot of difficult decisions. There will be a new head coach and a new general manager at the helm. There are some players who the Jets will attempt to bring back and there are a few who will have their bags packed and waiting by the door when the clock hits triple zeros after the game.
Here are three players who, for one reason or another, will likely be playing their last game with the Jets.
Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback
A lot has been debated over the past few weeks on if the Jets should bring back the 41-year-old quarterback for one more run. There is no true heir apparent currently on the roster to take over at QB for the Jets (those of you screaming about Jordan Travis need to grow up, this ain’t the college game). There won’t be a quarterback in the draft where the Jets select that will be an instant starter. So, the Jets will be looking for a bridge or band-aid quarterback to get them to their QB of the future. Rodgers spoke about being that guy recently.
With the way this year has gone, from the poor performance on the field, to his soured relationship with owner Woody Johnson, to the reports that Garrett Wilson will ask for a trade if Rodgers returns next year, I just can’t see the Jets bringing Rodgers back for another season. There is no upside to it. Rodgers will play his last game for New York on Sunday and maybe his last game ever.
Haason Reddick, Edge
Man, it feels like I was writing about Haason Reddick every day for a while earlier this year and haven’t mentioned his name since. You know who else hasn’t mentioned his name? Statisticians. Reddick has been almost as impactful on the field for the Jets as he was holding out. He has .5 sacks on the season despite making his playing time incentives and earning $9.5 million this season.
Once Woody Johnson got involved in this negotiation, Reddick won everything there was to win from the Jets. He was given $9.5 million dollars to go through the motions and walk away next week.
D.J. Reed, Cornerback
Reed made a lot of Jets fans big mad last week when he said he was going to be a free agent at the end of this year.
In truth, I have no issue with his comments. Reed has not had his best year, but no Jets player has. He still plays hard and plays through injury and I don’t see a problem if he knows where he stands with the organization.
Reed said the same thing back in June and nobody cared because they thought the team was headed for glory. Now that the team is 4-12 and limping to the finish line, people want to be fake mad at the guy for looking towards his future. The Jets could have approached him at any time to get an extension done and the fact is that they didn’t.
Of the three mentioned on this list, Reed will be the only player I will be sad to see in another uniform in 2025.
There are plenty of other players that will not be part of the Jets plan (assuming they have one by then) in 2025. But these are three players there is no way the Jets bring back.
