The New York Jets will weigh several factors when mulling over their decision of whether to bring back quarterback Aaron Rodgers, including health, age and – above all – money.

Despite entering the 2024-25 campaign with Super Bowl aspirations, the Jets have already kissed their playoff hopes goodbye coming off a bye week. Though New York still has six games to play this season, many fans and pundits alike have already turned their attention to what’s panning out to be a pivotal offseason.

Among the burning questions that the Jets new regime will have to answer – both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas have already been shown the door this year – is what to do with Rodgers. Over 11 games this season, the four-time MVP has completed 241-of-380 passes for 2,442 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions en route to commanding New York to a meagre 3-8 record.

If New York were to bring Rodgers back for another season, his cap charge would come out to $23.5 million in 2025 – the final year of his restructured three-year contract. Should the two sides part ways, the Jets would incur a whopping $49 million in dead cap money that could be spread out over two seasons, with the team owing $14 million next year and $35 million in 2026.

The Jets, however, could also designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut – a move that would only cost $14 million against the cap and even save them $9.5 million in 2025.

Rodgers, meanwhile, has yet to even confirm that he will play next year. And as he mulls over his future, the decision will have major implications on the Jets’ finances. The only way to avoid his $23.5 million cap charge in 2025 completely would be if he decided to retire.

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Aaron Rodgers remains undecided on whether or not he will play in the NFL next year

Aaron Rodgers remains undecided on whether or not he will play in the NFL next year ( 

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While making his weekly appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ the soon-to-be 41-year-old refrained from committing himself to playing in the 2025-26 campaign until this season wraps up. Addressing rumors that he’s expressed a desire to play next season for a team other than the Jets, Rodgers declared: “As far as my future goes, I haven’t told anybody in my life that I wanna play in 2025 [but not for] the Jets. That’s 100% false.

“I’m gonna wait and see what happens at the end of the season, if they want me back. … I’ve really enjoyed my time in New York. I’ve made some great friendships with the team, and I’ve enjoyed living in Jersey. So I’m not jumping off ship.”

Should he decide to lace up the cleats for another season, Rodgers asserted that returning to the Jets would be his top choice. “I don’t even know if I wanna play yet, but New York would be my first option,” he said. “When you’re 40, going on 41, you’re obviously at the end of your career.

“So obviously if it’s New York, they have to want me to be here. And then the new GM, the new staff, they’ll all have to want me to be with the Jets. And then, body-wise, I have to see how I’m feeling and if I want to sign up to go back to the grind.

“I think, at this point, I’m open to everything and attached to nothing,” Rodgers added. “A lot can change … but playing in New York would obviously be my first choice, if I wanted to play.”