Happy trails: Jets officially release QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers was officially released by the New York Jets on Wednesday, and a short queue led by the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants reportedly formed for a chance to sign the 41-year-old quarterback.

Jets General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn met with Rodgers in what the first-time GM labeled a meeting of clarity and determined it would be best to move on, before owner Woody Johnson issued a public thank you to the former Packers quarterback.

The Steelers are without a starting quarterback in part because the Jets are set to sign Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal. Russell Wilson, who started the final 11 games of the 2024 season and a playoff loss to the Ravens for Pittsburgh, is reportedly drawing interest from the Giants and Browns.

The Jets will be charged $14 million for releasing Rodgers on the 2025 salary cap and $35 million in 2026.

Rodgers joined the Jets amid much fanfare ahead of the 2023 season but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener. Last season, he rebounded to start all 17 games but the Jets finished only 5-12. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before moving on the Jets. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame member and four-time NFL MVP ranks in the top 10 in NFL history in many statistical categories.

He is first in passer rating (102.6), fifth in career touchdown passes (503), and seventh in both pass completions (5,369) and passing yards (62,952).

--Field Level Media