What Robert Saleh Firing Means for Aaron Rodgers, Jets in 2024 NFL Season and Beyond

The Jets have plenty to consider in the post-Saleh present and future. Choices will not only have to weigh the importance of trying to capture a championship in the near term, but also give credence to sustained success in the coming years when the veterans who are currently doing the heavy lifting are gone.

Rodgers’ future with the team will be hanging over nearly every decision New York’s brass makes. Although the quarterback said in March that he’s “hopeful” he can play up to four more years in the NFL, his struggles in 2024 could lead him to retire far earlier than that.

Considering Rodgers is only completing a mere 61 percent of his throws—the lowest mark of his career since becoming a starter in 2008—and has already been sacked 13 times in five games, the 41-year-old may not be able or up for reaching his longevity goals.

It’s a factor that Davante Adams is reportedly worried about. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the wideout “has some concerns about Rodgers’ plans to stay in New York past this season,” although the lack of no-trade clause in his deal may not give him a choice on being traded to the Jets.

Even if Rodgers finds his footing and looks like the four-time MVP of yore after being reunited with Adams, the team will still have to get a succession plan in place. Turning the offense back over to Zach Wilson is no longer an option after the beleaguered former starter was dealt to the Denver Broncos this offseason, and the current backup is 35-year-old Tyrod Taylor.

That means the Jets may need to consider making a splash in next year’s draft to find an heir to Rodgers.

New York has four picks to use during the first two days of the 2025 draft, although some of those may be utilized to bring in Adams.

If the Jets end up making the playoffs, they’d likely need to further mortgage the future to execute a costly trade up into the range required to land a blue-chip QB prospect such as Cameron Ward or Shedeur Sanders, the top two signal-callers on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s initial 2025 big board.

It’s a tough position to be in, but if the Jets can somehow make a run this year before hiring a promising head coach or offensive coordinator during the upcoming cycle and also land a heir-apparent to Rodgers in the draft, they’ll be well-positioned for long-term success.