The New York Jets entered the 2024-25 campaign with Super Bowl aspirations, yet entering their bye week have already kissed their playoff hopes goodbye.

At 3-8, the Jets actively find themselves in the basement of the AFC East – a standing they’ve grown accustomed to over the last decade-plus in which they’ve failed to reach the playoffs. Following the firings of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, a complete rebuild is once again in store for New York.

Though the Jets still have six games to play this season, many fans have already turned their attention to what’s panning out to be a pivotal offseason. New York will look to kickstart a new regime with multiple top brass hires, while also being faced with difficult decisions regarding the most important position in football.

Below, Mirror U.S. Sports looks at what moves the Jets and their players can make to build the best team for 2025.

Aaron Rodgers retires

Over a decorated 20-year career, Rodgers has cemented himself as one of the all-time greatest quarterbacks to ever step foot on an NFL field. But the soon-to-be 41-year-old bears little resemblance to the four-time MVP who achieved immense success in Green Bay – at times even holding the Jets’ offense back.

On the heels of suffering a season-ending Achilles tear just four snaps into the 2023-24 campaign, Rodgers has appeared skittish in the pocket and afraid to take sacks. Rather than taking shots downfield – once a pillar of his game – the signal-caller has routinely settled for dump-off passes and throwaways. Over the last two weeks, he is just 1-of-6 on passes that traveled over 10 yards through the air.

The Jets have surrounded Rodgers with a plethora of offensive weapons including wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall – not to mention several of his former Packer teammates in Allen Lazard and Davante Adams. But New York’s offensive woes continue to persist, prompting some to question if another quarterback couldn’t do better with the star talent at their disposal.

For the sake of all parties involved, Rodgers should hang up the cleats before his legacy is further tarnished.

Jets pass on Shedeur Sanders, take quarterback in later round

Shedeur Sanders is expected to be drafted high in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders is expected to be drafted high in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

According to Tankathon, the Jets actively possess the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, presenting them with a prime opportunity to replace Rodgers with a highly-touted prospect. Many will be quick to float Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders as a potential fit, given his dominant play this season and lively persona that’d fit well in a big market like New York.

The Jets would be wise, however, to avoid tanking for Sanders – or any first-round quarterback prospect for that matter. Following a 2024 Draft rife with franchise signal-callers, the 2025 class lacks many of the bonafide stars at the position.

This isn’t to say that the Jets shouldn’t take a quarterback in April, considering that Rodgers is all-but guaranteed to step away from the NFL in the next year or two – if not sooner. New York could look to select LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier or Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart in the second or third round and allow them to develop with a year on the bench.

New York hires Aaron Glenn as head coach

The Jets should turn to a familiar face to fill the role of Saleh, who went 20-36 over the last three seasons as head coach. Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is generating buzz to land a head-coaching position this offseason, and already has ties to New York having played there from 1994-2001.

After being selected by the Jets in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft, Glenn spent eight seasons with the team en route to being named to the franchise’s all-decade team in the 1990s. Now in Detroit, the 52-year-old is held in high regard by his players and fellow coaches, with Lions HC Dan Campbell heralding him as a “grinder.”

Speaking to SI’s Conor Orr, Campbell said: “The more challenges you throw at [Aaron Glenn], the more he thrives. AG is a grinder and always looks for the matchups first.

“For him, it’s, ‘How do we minimize their strengths and accentuate ours, regardless of who is available?’ He’s an outstanding communicator, teacher and motivator. With AG, it’s all about accountability and he refuses to accept excuses, which has been key for us this year with several injuries.”