Aaron Rodgers was a little more creative for the holidays.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini shared on social media that Rodgers handed out multiple expensive gifts to his offensive line in the sprit of gifting.

“A custom Tom Ford suit (a tailor twice came to the facility to take measurements). Tom Ford cologne. Tom Ford sunglasses. Louis Vuitton passport holder. Stereo speaker. Bottle of Devils River bourbon,” Cimini revealed.

Jets offensive linemen each received several Christmas gifts from Aaron (Santa) Rodgers:

A custom Tom Ford suit (a tailor twice came to the facility to take measurements)
Tom Ford cologne
Tom Ford sunglasses
Louis Vuitton passport holder
Stereo speaker
Bottle of Devils River…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 26, 2024

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The combination of items has an estimated retail value of $8,500.

Rodgers is good to go For Week 17

Interim Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich left some doubt during his media availability this week that Rodgers might not suit up this week due to a new knee issue.

However, when Rodgers spoke to the media he shut all of that speculation down.

“Yeah I’m gonna play and it feels pretty good … [I’m dealing] with a little MCL but I’ve had a lot worse. I lucked out [and] avoided stretchage of the MCL … there is no way I’m not playing,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers said he did not have to take an MRI for the injury and jokingly responded, “No we actually never talked about one, we didn’t talk about it” when asked if he refused to undergo an MRI.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said in a report earlier this season that Rodgers “refused” medical scans to avoid revealing the full extent of his injuries in fear that he would be taken off of the field.

Rodgers Has The Opportunity to Smash Some Jets Records

The former four-time NFL MVP seems hellbent on finishing this season. He discussed that motivation to play in all 17 games on the Netflix documentary “Enigma” after blowing his Achilles during the 2023 season.

If he does fulfill that promise, Rodgers has a chance to break some Jets franchise records and some NFL ones to boot.

Rodgers is just a single passing touchdown away from joining the 500+ passing touchdown club.

Only four players in NFL history have ever accomplished that feat. The list includes Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), and Brett Favre (508).

Rodgers is only 227 passing yards away from leapfrogging retired QB Matt Ryan for No. 7 on the all-time passing yardage list.

Rodgers is 497 passing yards away from passing Joe Namath as the single-season passing yards leader. Namath is the only QB in Jets history to have thrown for 4,000 passing yards. As a matter of fact, he was the first QB in NFL history to ever throw for 4,000 passing yards. He did that in only 14 games back in 1967.

Rodgers is eight passing touchdowns from surpassing Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Jets franchise record of 31 passing touchdowns. With only two games left to go that appears incredibly unlikely that Rodgers will accomplish that feat.

However, a respectable finish, let’s say three passing touchdowns total across the final two weeks, could launch Rodgers into the top three of most passing touchdowns by a Jets quarterback in a single season ever.

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One includes former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini was asked about Darnold during an interview with radio host Jake Asman.

“Sam Darnold, I always thought was a talented guy, he just wasn’t working here in New York. He probably needed a change of scenery. Good for him, he’s going to get a massive contract from someone this offseason. Good for him. He put in the work, he rehabilitated – I think last year was good for him, just having a year with Kyle Shanahan,” Cimini said on “The Jake Asman Show” on ESPN880 in New York. “I don’t know where it’ll be. Minnesota? Maybe Tennessee or somewhere like that but I’d be willing to bet anything that he is not going to come back to the Jets.”

For #Jets fans holding their breath about a potential Sam Darnold reunion in 2025, don’t count on it.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini told @JakeAsman, ‘I’d be willing to bet anything that he is not going to come back to the Jets.’ 😳😭

📻 @880ESPNNewYork, @JakeAsmanShow #JetUp #SKOL… pic.twitter.com/1K7zF5M8RY

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 26, 2024

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According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Darnold is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $141 million. That projected $35.4 million annual salary would make him the No. 14 highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, per Over The Cap.

Darnold Might Cost Even More Than That…

The former USC product will hit free agency at the ripe age of 27. If Darnold was told he could sign for that amount of money a year ago he would have taken it.

However, your value includes a lot of different variables. Of course how good you are matters, but it also is important to note who else is available.

It’s a supply-and-demand business. If you’re the only commodity in town, your value increases by default.

When you take a gander at the free-agent quarterback class that is going to be available it leaves a lot to be desired.

Darnold and Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only two surefire starting quarterbacks who are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in 2025. Everyone else who will be available at QB is completely unproven.

Wilson is nine years older than Darnold and he seems to have found a forever home with Pittsburgh. That would leave Darnold as the only top available quarterback with a lot of NFL teams fighting for his services.

All of a sudden Darnold could go from a projected $35 million per year contract to something comfortably in the $45 million per year ballpark, if not higher.

A Jets – Darnold Family Reunion in 2025?

It would be sort of poetic for Darnold to be drafted by the Jets in 2018, struggle, get traded away, and for him many years later to return to the team where it all started.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini is probably right, a Darnold return to the Jets is a longshot. He is going to have a ton of options that include staying in Minnesota or simply going to the highest bidder in free agency.

It should be noted that the regime that drafted Darnold and the one that traded him away is no longer at 1 Jets Drive. The green and white will have a couple of new sheriffs in town by the time he’s making the decision on his football future.

Darnold is having a career season with the Vikings in 2025. The team is 13-2 and has a path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC conference. He has thrown for 3,776 passing yards, has a 32 touchdown to 11 interception ratio, and has completed 67.2% of his passes. All of those statistical milestones are new career highs for the seven-year pro.

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They lost the contest to the Los Angeles Rams 19-9 and their star rookie offensive tackle, Olu Fashanu, was carted off of the field.

ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler said the “early sense is the injury is not major, but he will need time to recover.”

In a separate post, Fowler did share that the former Penn State product is “likely” going to miss the rest of the season due to this injury. The Jets only have two games remaining against the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins respectively.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich revealed on Tuesday, December 24 that Fashanu will be placed on injured reserve which will end his season. He is dealing with “plantar fasciitis” and will likely need an operation at some point during the offseason, according to Ulbrich.

Jets Dodge a Major Bullet

It didn’t look good in the moment.

Fashanu was attended to by medical personnel on the field. He couldn’t put weight on his foot. Fashanu was carted off of the field. He was spotted with crutches in the locker room.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said immediately after the game that Fashanu was dealing with a lot of pain. This is already a lost season for the Jets with them being eliminated from postseason contention. One of the lone bright spots was the play of Fashanu. Not only for this season but for what was to come in the future.

Leading up to Week 16, Aaron Rodgers said Fashanu is a 10-year starter in this league. Ulbrich reiterated a similar message when speaking with the local media.

If Fashanu had as serious of an injury as it appeared to be on the field – his immediate future could have been compromised.

Offseason reps are incredibly valuable and because this injury occurred so late in the season it could have had an impact on his outlook for the 2025 season.

NFL Insider Says Jets Jobs Are Incredibly Attractive This Offseason

The Jets have been a laughing stock for the better part of a decade and a half. From not making the playoffs, to embarrassing moments, and constant headlines in the tabloids.

This offseason the green and white will once again be searching for a new head coach and a general manager.

NFL Insider Peter Schrager of Fox Sports said the Jets openings are “still seen as a very desirable one.”

“The salary cap situation is in good shape, the Jets have four of their five offensive linemen solidified up front, and there’s a bevy of young, talented players on the roster. There’s also not expected to be many GM jobs available this offseason,” Schrager explained. “This all leads to a strong list of expected candidates. I’d imagine a few more people currently without NFL jobs to get looks over the coming weeks, and then a list of names that includes Ray Agnew from Detroit, Mike Borgonzi from Kansas City and Mike Greenberg from Tampa Bay. By getting a nice two-month head start, the Jets have hit the ground running.”

Whoever takes over in 2025 is going to have a strong offensive line where four of the five starters are 27 years of age or younger. Morgan Moses, 33, is the only starting offensive lineman that is scheduled to be a free agent.

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J.J. McCarthy never got to play in his rookie season due to a torn meniscus injury from the preseason. Former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold got the nod instead and took full advantage of it during the 2024 season.

This offseason the Vikings have to make a decision. Keep Darnold and potentially move on from McCarthy or keep McCarthy and let Darnold walk.

Darnold is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Vikings could let him walk uninhibited, or they could franchise tag him, or they could hand him a record-breaking long-term deal which he seems in line for.

Jets Don’t Have Great Options at The QB Position

If the 2025 NFL draft starts right now, the Jets will hold the No. 8 overall pick in the first round, per Tankathon.

That isn’t a high enough pick to secure one of the top two quarterbacks in April’s class [Shedeur Sanders out of Colorado or Cam Ward out of Miami].

The Jets could turn to free agency but there aren’t many choices there either. Darnold and Pittsburgh Steelers passer Russell Wilson are expected to be the top options available.

It seems unlikely that Darnold would want to return to the Jets after his first experience with the franchise. Things seem to be swell in Pittsburgh, likely resulting in a Wilson re-signing.

There are two types of teams in the NFL: those that have a quarterback and those that don’t.

McCarthy would be a unique opportunity to acquire a young passer still in the meat of his rookie contract at a discount.

The former Michigan product was the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. He is set to enter the second year of his $21.85 million contract in 2025.

McCarthy, 21, has a ton of upside. He got exponentially better in each of his three seasons at Michigan.

McCarthy finished with 6,226 passing yards, a 49 touchdown to 11 interception ratio, and he completed 67.6% of his passes in college.

What is McCarthy’s Trade Value?

That’ll probably be the first question someone asks when this topic is brought up and it’s a complicated answer.

McCarthy showed some promise in the preseason, but outside of that, no one saw anything in his rookie season. He was a first-round pick, but his rookie season was lost due to injury.

Unless someone does something special, it’s like buying a car at a dealership. The moment the car leaves the lot, the price depreciates in value.

I’d call up the Vikings offer a first-round pick swap and ask for their third-round draft choice in 2025. Minnesota currently slots in at pick No. 30 overall and their third-rounder currently slots in at pick No. 97. While the Jets hold the No. 8 overall pick.

According to the NFL draft value chart, the Jets’ pick is worth 1,400 points and the Vikings combination of picks are worth 732 points.

Scouts describe him as a “winner.” During his three seasons at Michigan, McCarthy had a 40-3 record. In his final campaign, the Wolverines won the National Championship with a perfect 15-0 season.

They say wins aren’t a quarterback stat, but McCarthy seems to have that “it factor” that teams covet. You won’t be wowed by the physique, McCarthy stands in at 6-foot-2 and tips the scales at 219 pounds.

“One of the draft’s most efficient quarterbacks operating out of structure,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein said in his combine profile. “Plenty of experience working under center in pro-style passing scheme … Toughness to deliver throws when taking a hit and squeeze out extra yards as runner … Plays with a chip on his shoulder and intensifies focus when needed.”

In a perfect world, Aaron Rodgers sticks around for one more season in 2025. That would allow McCarthy to get fully healthy, he had a second surgery on the injury during the season. Rodgers already said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, December 23 that he’s open to both a pay cut and mentoring a youngster.

“If there was a situation where the new staff came in & wanted me to be there & also wanted to make a pick for the future & pick a quarterback if there was one there that they really liked, then of course … As far as pay cuts, I think I’ve already proven I’m willing to take a pay cut. I’ve made a ton of money,” Rodgers said.

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Rodgers casually mentioned his new relationship while talking about ordering Christmas gifts online.

“I actually order most of my stuff online. I don’t go in person. I used to enjoy a little outing over to the Bay Park mall in Wisconsin every now and then, but I actually ordered all of mine online this year. I was a little worried because there was one package left for my girlfriend Brittani that hadn’t showed up yet,” the New York Jets QB said on December 23 on the show.

“So I’ve been waiting on this to show up and it showed up today,” Rodgers said. “So everything is great now. We’re all set.”

McAfee looked visibly surprised by the revelation. Rodgers did not reveal his girlfriend’s last name. McAfee’s co-host AJ Hawk jokingly asked Rodgers whether he was dating Britney Spears.

“Not Britney Spears; this is Brittani with an I,” Rodgers said of his girlfriend’s name. “Not Britney Spears.”

Rodgers has had a string of high-profile romances over the years. He hasn’t posted about Brittani on his Instagram page, and it’s not clear where they met.

Aaron Rodgers Revealed That His New Girlfriend Brittani Doesn’t Have Social Media

GettyAaron Rodgers signs with New York Jets

Rodgers did offer a few tidbits about his girlfriend. “She doesn’t have social media, but she’s a fan of you, I think,” he told McAfee. But he added that she doesn’t watch the show, either.

“It’s a good feeling boys, it is,” he said, after McAfee joked, “Aaron is in love.” Rodgers didn’t dispel that claim.

McAfee said that Rodgers’ girlfriend “was getting a good Christmas gift.”

Rodgers added, “Britney Spears and I do actually shared a birthday.” He then wished Spears a happy birthday on the show.

Aaron Rodgers’ Last Public Relationship Ended in 2022, Reports Say

GettyShailene Woodley

According to TMZ, Rodgers was “rumored recently to be seeing Mallory Edens,” who is the daughter of the co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.

Rodgers’ “last public relationship” ended in 2022 and was with actress Shailene Woodley. They dated for two years and were engaged, TMZ reported.

He has had a string of high-profile girlfriends over the years, including Woodley, actress Olivia Munn, and Danica Patrick, TMZ reported.

Rodgers is featured in a new Netflix documentary that shows him in a “psychedelic” stupor, and he discussed his dating history, according to The New York Post and People Magazine.

The trailer makes it clear that Rodgers is focused on building character and overcoming injury.

According to The Post, the documentary, called “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma,” shows the QB discussing “how he overcame his perfectionism and discomfort with religious faith of his upbringing” by going on “ayahuasca retreats.”

In the documentary, Rodgers spoke about his love life, according to People, saying that he “didn’t do myself any favors with some of the girls I dated.”

He also indicated that he tries to keep his personal life private.

“I definitely hated it at first — like, really despised it,” Rodgers said about the public attention his job brings, People reported. “I enjoyed my private life. I enjoyed being able to go places. But from Super Bowl MVP, MVP, State Farm commercials, that got a little bit more difficult.”

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One potential candidate that seems to intrigue quarterback Aaron Rodgers is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

“The stumble play which was unbelievable. Literally I was watching sitting on the bench they put it up during our game. I was like, they just faked the [expletive] fumble and threw leak for a touchdown. How incredible was that? Pretty incredible. That offense does something crazy every week,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, December 23. “They always got different things. I love Jared [Goff], love what they’re doing. Really cool play design.”

Interesting…

Aaron Rodgers appears to be a big fan of future #Jets HC Ben Johnson 👀 he likes the cut of his jib!

‘The stumble play which was unbelievable’ + ‘They just faked the f***ing fumble & threw leak for a touchdown? How incredible was that? Pretty incredible!’

‘That… pic.twitter.com/ddHbZVAvB0

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 23, 2024

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The play that Rodgers was marveling at came in the Lions versus Chicago Bears game in Week 16.

With 12:24 remaining in the third quarter, Goff snapped the ball from under center, pretended to stumble, Jahmyr Gibbs threw himself to the ground, and several Lions offensive linemen yelled ball [to indicate a fumble occurred on the play and to alert his teammates].

However, all of it was a well-choreographed ruse to fool the defense and create a wide-open play for a touchdown. Goff hit tight end Sam LaPorta for the 21-yard score to go up 34-14.

Johnson is Earning Rave Reviews; Among Candidates for Jets HC Job

“If I was a Bears defensive coach, I would wanna fight Ben Johnson because this was the most disrespectful play call I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” ESPN analyst Mina Kimes said.

Johnson, 38, has been the Lions offensive coordinator since 2022 and he first joined the team back in 2019 as a quality control coach.

The talented coach has earned respect around the league for his offensive creativity and unique play-calling acumen.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini name-dropped Johnson as a “name to watch” in the Jets head coaching search on the “Flight Deck Podcast.”

Cimini listed the top three guys at this point in the team’s coaching search are Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, and the aforementioned Johnson.

The #Jets coaching search rumors are HEATING UP 🔥

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said, ‘I think [Mike] Vrabel is in the mix for the Jets. I told you a couple of weeks ago he’s interested I think they’re interested.’

‘I think Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, & Ben Johnson are the names to really… pic.twitter.com/IxW7BpNfTw

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 19, 2024

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Woody Johnson has owned the team since 2000. Under his leadership, he has only ever hired one offensive-oriented head coach and that was Adam Gase in 2019. Every other coach has been defensive-minded.

Rodgers Expands Upon Pay Cut Chatter and Mentoring

The former four-time MVP was originally asked about taking a pay cut and mentoring a young quarterback when speaking with the local media.

However, he expanded upon those initial thoughts during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“If there was a situation where the new staff came in & wanted me to be there & also wanted to make a pick for the future & pick a quarterback if there was one there that they really liked, then of course [I would],” Rodgers said. “As far as pay cuts, I think I’ve already proven I’m willing to take a pay cut. I’ve made a ton of money.”

NFL Insider Peter Schrager of Fox Sports said for Rodgers and his buddy Davante Adams to have any chance of returning they would both have to be open to a pay cut.

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After the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Wilson sounded off on his lack of involvement in the offense until very late in the contest.

“I don’t know to be honest with you man. Just gotta go out and put my best foot forward and hope things fall my way,” Wilson said in the locker room via SNY. “I would love to be involved, love to make an impact on the game but if people see it differently, then that’s out of my control. Just try to do what I can do.”

ESPN’s Rich Cimini told radio host Jake Asman that he believes Wilson was referencing Aaron Rodgers with that comment.

“I do believe he is just tired of the losing and the direction of the offense. Now he did have a very interesting comment after the game, he did say he thought he was running good routes and getting open, [and] he goes ‘I guess some people just see it differently.’ I think he means Aaron Rodgers. I truly believe there is something going on there between them,” Cimini explained on 880AM ESPN New York with Asman. “From the moment he had the sideline blowup last week in Jacksonville which was very early in the third quarter to the first three quarters today. So that’s five quarters, he only had five targets over those five quarters and I believe Davante Adams had about 17.”

ESPN’s Rich Cimini gave the latest on a ‘frustrated’ #Jets WR Garrett Wilson when talking to @JakeAsman:

‘I do believe he’s just tired of the losing & the direction of the offense.’

Cimini believes Wilson indirectly was talking about Aaron Rodgers yesterday when he said he… pic.twitter.com/SavtB3E2li

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 23, 2024

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More on Wilson’s Frustration and a Target Share Conversation

Cimini said Wilson had three targets through the first 55 minutes of the Week 16 game against the Rams.

He finished up with six receptions for 54 receiving yards. Wilson was targeted seven times during the game, according to ESPN.

This season, Wilson is the fourth most targeted player in the league (141 targets).

“Anytime we don’t win, and I’m not that involved, it’s tough,” Wilson said after the game via Cimini. “I’m not going to sit here and say I haven’t been involved, but I just think I’ve got more to give. … I think I can help us. They know that.”

Wilson through the first 15 games of the season has 90 receptions for 987 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

He is only six catches away from setting a new personal best in receptions in a single season. With two more games to go, he is also only 117 receiving yards away from setting another new personal best in receiving yardage in a single season. Wilson has already set a new career high in touchdowns in a single season with six here in 2024.

Cooler Heads Will Hopefully Prevail with The Jets

The Jets are in the middle of arguably the most disappointing season in franchise history. At 4-11, they have been eliminated from the playoffs.

Wilson is frustrated and unhappy, but so is everyone on the team. This offseason he will be eligible to discuss a contract extension with the team.

“If I had to bet now, I think he will request a trade. I do not know if the Jets would grant it, that’s entirely up to the new regime,” Cimini said.

The Jets are searching for a new head coach and general manager.

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Fashanu injured his left foot and was immediately ruled out for the rest of the game by the Jets medical staff.

Olu Fashanu being carted to the Jets locker room pic.twitter.com/wSbQ8D6oje

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 22, 2024

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After the game interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich confirmed the “foot” injury for Fashanu.

“Yeah, we’ll get more information as we get some scans and a deeper look at it. He was in some pain for sure,” Ulbrich added.

Fashanu had trouble putting weight on the leg on the field and had to be helped off of the field and then eventually carted to the locker room.

SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes asked Ulbrich if there was any fear that this could be an Achilles injury for Fashanu.

“I’d really just be speculating,” Ulbrich responded.

Hughes spotted Fashanu in the locker room “on crutches” and added, “Not a great sign, obviously.”

A Jets Season Goes From Bad to Worse

Things have gone just about as poorly as anyone could have expected this season. The Jets have long since been eliminated from the playoffs. However, a lone bright spot has been the play of Fashanu.

Fashanu, 22, was the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. The former Penn State product is in the first year of his $20 million contract.

Fashanu started his rookie season on the bench because of the signing of veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith.

Smith got injured and was eventually placed on injured reserve which opened the door for Fashanu to take over the blindside. This season he appeared in 15 games and made seven starts.

According to Pro Football Focus, Fashanu has only given up one sack all season.

Jets Offensive Line Heading Into 2025 Will Be a Strength

Before the injury, Fashanu showed signs of being a promising building block at left tackle for the present and future for the Jets.

Heading into next season the Jets have 80% of their starting offensive line under contract. That group includes John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and the aforementioned Fashanu.

All of those players are 27 years of age or younger. The only question mark is the right tackle position. Morgan Moses, 33, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Even if the Jets decide to bring Moses back they will have to get a youngster in the room to develop to become the long-term solution at right tackle.

The offensive line can be used as a great recruiting piece to lure the most attractive possible candidates at both head coach and general manager.

When Joe Douglas arrived in 2019, the Jets offensive line was a mess. It’s sort of ironic that his ghost gift that will live beyond his Jets tenure is a stout offensive line for whoever replaces him in 2025.

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SNY’s NFL Insider Connor Hughes recently ranted to explain why Allen Lazard should be riding the pine instead of rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley.

“Another week of Malachi Corley on the inactive list and it makes absolutely no sense to me. The Jets are eliminated from the playoffs and what they should do is exactly what Todd Bowles did, exactly what Adam Gase did, exactly what Robert Saleh did early in his tenure as well – get the players who can potentially contribute to this team in 2025 and beyond. Reps, reps, and more reps! Let them take their lumps now in a lost season hoping and believing that will help them in contributing to this team when they want to make a run in 2025 and beyond,” Hughes explained on “Jets Class.” “Corley is a player that the Jets loved in the draft. Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh, and yes – Aaron Rodgers.

For him to just be a complete non-factor? I don’t care if he doesn’t contribute as a punt gunner, I don’t care if he’s not on the kickoff or kickoff return team, oh by the way he should be on the kickoff return team. Get him out there because he can still make plays as a receiver. We saw that on his infamous touchdown where he dropped the ball before the goal-line. That is speed. It hasn’t been on the Jets offense this year. There is no reason he and other youthful guys on this roster shouldn’t be playing but specifically Corley – get him on the field! We don’t need to see Allen Lazard anymore, get the young guys out there.”

Another Team Insider Explains Corley’s Absence From the Lineup

ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed that Corley has been a “healthy scratch in six games” so far this season heading into Week 16.

“Why? It’s always a numbers game at receiver, but there’s more to it than that. The transition from college to pro hasn’t been easy for him, and the organization would like to see continued maturation from Corley before handing him a consistent role. Unfortunately for him, his rookie year will be remembered for his goal-line drop/fumble against the Houston Texans,” Cimini added.

In the Week 9 Thursday Night Football game against the Texans, Corley finally got his shot to show off his skills. The Jets ran a jet sweep play at the beginning of the second quarter. It was blocked perfectly as Corley strutted into the end zone from 19 yards out untouched. The only problem was Corley dropped the ball just before entering the end zone and the momentum from that drop carried the ball out of the back of the end zone which resulted in a touchback upon further review.

So instead of Corley scoring the first touchdown of his NFL career – he fumbled the ball, taking points off of the board, and gave the ball to the Texans.

This season Corley has appeared in eight games and has made one start. During those appearances, Corley has three receptions for 16 yards. He also has two rushing attempts for 26 yards.

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They can accelerate that process by pulling off a blockbuster trade. Bleacher Report host, Jake Ellenbogen, did just that looking ahead to the 2025 offseason.

New York Jets receive: veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals receive: a 2025 second-rounder and a 2025 fourth-rounder

“Hear me out when I say this, he is going to be a free agent in 2026. Trey Hendrickson is among the best pass rushers in the league this year,” Ellenbogen explained. “He is having a great year. Before the season he requested a trade, so he’s out, he doesn’t want to be a Bengal anymore. To be honest with you, the Bengals missing the playoffs, I can understand why. The defense is in shambles, he is doing everything that he can, and that defense is still giving up points. I look at the Jets here, they need pass-rush help. They need to go out and get a guy that is consistent and that’s Trey Hendrickson. He can win with power, he can win with speed, he can win with his move set. He is a really good pass rusher that can win in multiple ways.”

Hendrickson Is Really Good but That Is an Expensive Price

The former Florida Atlantic product leads the league in sacks heading into Week 16 (12.5).

Hendrickson, 30, has one more year left on his contract through the 2025 season. He is set to count $18.66 million against the cap next year.

The Jets had their chance to acquire Hendrickson when he was an unrestricted free agent back in 2021. Instead of signing him, the Jets opted for Carl Lawson in that same free-agency class.

During Hendrickson’s eight seasons in the NFL, he has totaled 72 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 146 quarterback hits, and has been named to the Pro Bowl on three occasions.

Ellenbogen explained that the Jets would only make this move if Aaron Rodgers was still on the team in 2025. He categorized it as an all-in type of maneuver that could help push the Jets over the top.

It All Depends on How the Jets Feel About Their Options in-House

The Haason Reddick experiment was a disaster of epic proportions. He missed half of the season and when he finally got on the field, Reddick made zero impact.

Will McDonald has had a breakout season in 2024. Through the first 14 games, McDonald has registered new career highs in sacks (10), quarterback hits (19), and forced fumbles (two).

Gang Green has at least one pass rusher, but do they have more?

It depends on how you feel about Jermaine Johnson. The former first-round draft choice blew out his Achilles in Week 2.

Brian Costello of the New York Post said Johnson was back in the locker room this week for the “first time” since his devastating season-ending injury.

“He looked good. No signs of the injury,” Costello added.

Johnson will turn 26 before the start of the 2025 season. He is coming off of a very serious injury that could take away some of the explosiveness that made him so special.

In early May the Jets will have to decide on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. According to Over The Cap, Johnson’s team option is projected to be worth $$14.73 million fully guaranteed.

If you think he will fully recover with no issues, the Jets will accept that option and EDGE won’t be a massive position of need. However, if you have concerns about his recovery or future with the team, perhaps a Hendrickson trade would make more sense.

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ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano recently explained why that would be a massive mistake for this franchise.

“If the effect of this story is that the organization decides that well it could be worse. Like Aaron Rodgers isn’t so bad because look at all of this other goofiness that is going on above him. Then the Jets are in bigger trouble than I thought. Aaron Rodgers is a con artist, he is a narcissist, he is self-absorbed to the absolute maximum, and if he has you fooled – again – that’s on you,” Graziano said on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” show. “If the Jets go back to Aaron Rodgers next year, they deserve what they get and it will not be good. Like they know this, they have lived it for the last two years, like this is not the answer. If some team wants to do that, too bad for them, but if the team it just happened to wants it to happen to them again, then there is no fixing that. That’s just dumb.”

Dan Graziano stuns ESPN ‘Unsportsmanlike’ with his rant about Aaron Rodgers.

“Aaron Rodgers is a con artist. He is a narcissist. He is self-absorbed to the absolute maximum. And if he has you fooled — again — that’s on you.” pic.twitter.com/8jiE6Gvavl

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 20, 2024

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The Athletic Story Paints the Jets in a Very Bad Light

A group of insiders from The Athletic, Dianna Russini, Zack Rosenblatt, and Mike Silver wrote a scathing detailed report that highlighted multiple levels of dysfunction within the Jets’ building.

Woody Johnson, the Jets’ Owner, was accused of shutting down a trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy over a low Madden rating.

“Johnson, who declined The Athletic’s request for comment, soured on his franchise quarterback less than a year after betting big on him, denigrated his own players in the locker room and seemed to follow decision-making advice from his teenage sons,” The Athletic story stated.

Those accusations could have a huge impact on the Jets and their search this offseason to fill major positions in the front office and coaching staff.

There was reported meddling with lineup decisions and unprofessionalism in the locker room involving Johnson himself and his teenage sons.

“The Johnson family’s behavior inside the Jets locker room has also become an issue,” league sources told The Athletic. “NFL locker rooms are restricted-access spaces typically limited to players, coaches, team personnel, and media members. But Brick and Jack have brought friends — male and female — into the locker room, and current and former players and coaches told The Athletic that Woody Johnson, his wife, Suzanne Ircha Johnson, and his sons criticized players inside the locker room.”

At a minimum, every candidate that interviews with the team is going to bring up that story to check its validity and how Johnson potentially learned from some of those situations.

Insider Still Believes the Jets Job Is Incredibly Attractive

Despite all of that noise, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz argued that there is still “a lot to like” about the Jets’ vacant head coach and general manager gig.

“So a lot of people, agents, are looking at this that represent coaches and executives and saying if I get the right type of personality in New York that can withstand that pressure cooker, he is going to have the opportunity to build a franchise the way he wants,” Schultz said on “The Herd.”

Woody Johnson isn’t without his faults, but there’s still a lot to like about the #Jets’ HC and GM gigs — and agents are taking notice…

📺 @TheHerd with @colincowherd pic.twitter.com/44UvOogAFg

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 20, 2024

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Radio host, Colin Cowherd, revealed that he has spoken to Mike Vrabel. Based on their conversation, Cowherd said that Vrabel “would take” the Jets job if he was cool with the choice of general manager.

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When directly asked if the team approached him about a contract extension would he want to stay here long term, Wilson responded, “I don’t know.”

A lot of people ran with those comments. However, if you listen to the rest of his answer, Wilson eventually says, “If they do, that would be a blessing, that would be awesome, I love the Jets. At the end of the day, they were the ones that believed in me so yeah but I can’t be worrying about all that. Just gonna finish these 3 games the right way.”

Wilson was asked if the regime that drafted him no longer being here affects him. He was also asked if his future will be impacted by who the team hires at general manager, head coach, and who the quarterback ends up being.

“I ain’t gonna really speak on all that. Just worried about what we got going on right now these last three weeks … I’m going to be where my feet [are] at,” he responded.

A lot has been made about Garrett Wilson’s comments about his #Jets future…

A reporter asked him directly if the team approached him about a contract extension would he like to stay here long term?

He responded, ‘I don’t know’ with a lot of word salad about being where his… pic.twitter.com/7aUUmPrYff

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 20, 2024

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Insider Shares Interesting Information on Wilson’s Future

“I have talked to people in Garrett Wilson’s circle they think, now I want to emphasize this is speculation on their part, they think he will ask for a trade after the season. Again speculative by people who know him, we don’t know that to be a fact, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained on the “Flight Deck Podcast.”

Wilson’s people don’t necessarily speak for him but it is worth noting by Cimini. It’s also important to note that even if Wilson did request a trade from the Jets, that doesn’t mean they have to honor it.

In 2022 Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. He didn’t end up going anywhere instead signing a long-term deal. Last offseason Tee Higgins requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, the team refused to move him, and he ended up playing on the franchise tag.

Wilson is under contract for 2025 and will be under contract for 2026 when the team accepts the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. If after that point he still didn’t have a long-term deal the Jets could utilize the franchise tag for an additional three seasons after that.

In other words, the Jets have team control over Wilson for the foreseeable future.

Just because the Jets have that sort of control over Wilson doesn’t necessarily mean they should use it. The first move that the new general manager for the Jets should make is to sign Wilson to a lucrative long-term deal.

He is a superstar player at a premium position at just 24 years of age.

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Gang Green announced on social media that they have completed their interview with Jim Nagy for their vacant general manager position.

Nagy is currently executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl and he has held that title since 2018. Prior to that Nagy was an NFL scout for 18 years. During that run teams he worked on appeared in six Super Bowls and won four of them.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said this would be an “outside-the-box” hire for the Jets if they went in this direction.

Unique Kick of the Tires for the Jets

Nagy doesn’t have prior experience as a general manager. However, he does have a ton of other attractive qualities.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said Nagy is “very interested” in the Jets’ vacant general manager role.

“He’s well-connected in NFL circles and knows college talent as well as anyone. People in the industry consider him an excellent communicator,” Cimini revealed.

I reached out to Nagy but he couldn’t talk about the interview with the Jets because this is an ongoing process.

This is the third interview the Jets have completed so far in their GM search. Nagy joins Thomas Dimitroff and Jon Robinson as the other candidates in the mix so far.

Jets Head Coaching Search Rumors Are Heating Up

“I think [Mike] Vrabel is in the mix for the Jets [head coaching gig]. I told you a couple of weeks ago, he’s interested, I think they’re interested. Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, and Ben Johnson are the names to really watch for the Jets head coaching search. So if you ask me right now, who are the top three guys? I would say those guys but there is a long long way to go,” Cimini explained on “The Flight Deck Podcast.”

The #Jets coaching search rumors are HEATING UP 🔥

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said, ‘I think [Mike] Vrabel is in the mix for the Jets. I told you a couple of weeks ago he’s interested I think they’re interested.’

‘I think Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, & Ben Johnson are the names to really… pic.twitter.com/IxW7BpNfTw

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 19, 2024

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In a mailbag segment for Sports Illustrated, NFL Insider Albert Breer was asked by a fan to predict who will be the next head coach of the Jets.

“I like Aaron Glenn or Vrabel for the job. I think they need that type of leader—one who’ll have the personality to come in and get everyone to forget about the franchise’s wayward history, and recreate who the team is, like Campbell did in Detroit,” Breer said.

Interestingly both candidates come from primarily defensive backgrounds. That has been the Jets’ calling card since Woody Johnson bought the team back in 2000. Every head coach that Johnson has hired except Adam Gase were defensive guys.

Vrabel has been a head coach before and he did it at an extremely high level for the Tennessee Titans. While Glenn would be a bag of mystery as a first-time head coach.

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On Wednesday, December 18 a media member asked Rodgers if he would consider altering his contract and/or taking another pay cut to potentially remain with the team in 2025.

“Yeah I’m open to everything,” Rodgers responded.

The four-time NFL MVP made history when he was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Jets. He took the largest pay cut in sports history giving back $35 million in guaranteed money to the Jets so they could improve the team around him.

Rodgers Answers a Massive Financial Question

In 2025 Rodgers has a manageable $23.5 million cap hit. However, what complicates the deal is the floating $35 million option bonus. That is a team option that can be exercised anywhere from the beginning of the offseason to the start of the 2025 season which puts the power and control in the Jets’ hands.

The enigma that is Rodgers, the financials, and his advancing age (41) are all working against him. However, it would be easier to stomach the Rodgers experience if he was willing to rework the money – which according to Rodgers is something he is open to.

If Rodgers was 10 or 15 years younger every team in the NFL would do backflips to acquire him. However, at 41 years of age, it would take a very specific team in a very specific situation to want him in 2025.

If Rodgers wants to play football next season, he will have limited options available. That benefits the Jets because Rodgers, in theory, should be more willing to take a pay cut to stay with the Jets if that is his only option to play football in 2025.

A-Rod Provides the Perfect Answer to a Pressing Jets Question

You can make a case that Rodgers can be the starting QB for the Jets next season. However three to five years down the line he isn’t going to be the starter.

A new regime could be interested in drafting their own young quarterback to develop for the future.

Rodgers was asked about that hypothetical situation potentially happening this offseason for the Jets and how he would respond to it.

“If they ask me back & they drafted a guy, I’d mentor the hell out of him if I was playing & I’d try to play as well as I could to keep him on the bench,” Rodgers responded with a smile.

I love how Aaron Rodgers responded to Rich Cimini’s hypothetical about the #Jets drafting a young QB in 2025 & him potentially returning.

‘If they ask me back & they drafted a guy, I’d mentor the hell out of him if I was playing & I’d try to play as well as I could to keep him… pic.twitter.com/YY5Fh1l4NQ

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 18, 2024

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In Rodgers’ new documentary on Netflix, “Enigma”, there is a scene explaining his relationship with Brett Favre when he came into the league. Long story short, it wasn’t a rosy picture. Favre was threatened by Rodgers and Favre made things uncomfortable.

Fast forward to when the Packers drafted Jordan Love in 2020, Rodgers handled things a lot differently than Favre did.

He was praised in the documentary by Love and Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur for how he handled it and going out of his way to mentor Love.

An interesting clip from the new Rodgers doc on him mentoring Jordan Love pic.twitter.com/E4mcSoAnpO

— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) December 18, 2024

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If Rodgers is open to a pay cut and mentoring a young quarterback, maybe he is the perfect answer for the Jets at the QB position in 2025.

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That is becoming a very real question after another starter just went down for the year. Interim Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich revealed that starting safety Jalen Mills broke his collarbone in Week 15 and will now miss the rest of the season.

“He will go to IR [injured reserve] unfortunately. It was a break, a slight fracture. It’s an unfortunate loss especially as thin as we are in the safety room,” Ulbrich said.

Mills Became a Standout on Defense for the Jets

The veteran defensive back joined the Jets in late September on the practice squad. A month later he was promoted to the active roster.

This season he appeared in nine games and made eight starts. Mills has registered 44 total tackles, an interception, and six pass deflections.

“It is so rare we all know for a guy to come in midseason and to have that sort of impact. You see guys come in and contribute all the time but for him to become the leader that he did, especially among the backend, was pretty cool to see. I know he has been around a lot and he is experienced but he was a valuable addition and one that we will miss for sure,” Ulbrich added.

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said Mills broke his collarbone on his interception versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

Mills is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. This injury and return timeline complicates his immediate football future.

While he performed quite well with the Jets, a new regime is taking over in 2025, and a roster reset across the board is likely coming next season.

Gang Green Announces a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Los Angeles Rams Game

Veteran defensive tackle Leki Fotu returned to practice this week. He has only appeared in two games this season due to an array of injury problems.

On Wednesday, December 18 the Jets made three additions to their practice squad. According to a press release from the team, they signed running back Zach Evans, defensive lineman Bradlee Anae, and tight end Neal Johnson.

Evans was the No. 215 overall pick in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 NFL draft. Anae has been on the Jets roster before with stints on the team in 2022 and 2023. Johnson, the 6-foot-4 250-pound tight end, went undrafted in 2024. He was briefly with the team in August during training camp.

The week’s first injury report has the Jets dealing with some big issues ahead of Week 16.

Three starters didn’t practice: Michael Carter II (back), Quinnen Williams (hamstring), and Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle).

Five more players were all listed as limited participants: Braelon Allen (back), Isaiah Davis (back), Brandin Echols (shoulder), Morgan Moses (knee), and Quincy Williams (knee).

The most encouraging news was veteran cornerback D.J. Reed being a full participant with his groin injury.

For what it’s worth, Ulbrich said Wednesday’s practice was a walkthrough.

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NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed that Mike Vrabel is “atop the Jets wishlist” this offseason to fill their head coaching vacancy.

“The name that is kind of here and the rest of the pack from my understanding it is Mike Vrabel. I know the Jets have already put out their feelers to gauge interest if Vrabel would be interested in the Jets, if there is anything there. Would he want the job? Would he take the job or anything like that. He is somebody from my understanding is atop the Jets’ wishlist,” Hughes said.

Jets Might Be Willing to Do Whatever It Takes to Land Vrabel

“Multiple NFL sources believe [that Vrabel] is the coach the Jets covet the most,” Hughes said.

The green and white won’t be the only NFL team that holds Vrabel in high regard regarding their head coaching search.

“My sense is Mike Vrabel is high on the list of the three teams with head coach openings now, and will probably be the most sought after candidate in January. What’ll be interesting to see is who’ll be willing to let him set a program up his own way—which could mean bringing ex-Tennessee exec (and current Giants exec) Ryan Cowden with him as general manager and perhaps Browns tight ends coach Tommy Rees as OC (though Josh McDaniels might be a possibility to come with him to certain locales, too),” Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said.

That might require some creativity and flexibility from the Jets to lure Vrabel away from some of the other attractive jobs in the NFL.

“It would not surprise me at all if the Jets actually went to Vrabel and one of the things to try and get him to be their head coach was they said look we’ll hire you and then we’ll keep you involved in our search for the general manager,” Hughes added.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said on his “Flight Deck Podcast” that sources close to Vrabel said he’d be “open” to the job depending on who they hire as the general manager. Well if he was involved in who the GM ended up being, I’d imagine that’d be pretty attractive to Vrabel.

Currently, the Jets are the only team with a general manager vacancy in the NFL.

Jets Interview Ex-Titans GM for Vacant Role

Gang Green announced on social media on Tuesday, December 17 that they have “completed” their interview with former Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson.

There is a direct connection between Robinson and Vrabel. Robinson was the Titans’ GM from 2016 through 2022. He was with Vrabel for his final four seasons.

Robinson never had a losing season while the GM for the Titans:

• 2016: 9-7
• 2017: 9-7
• 2018: 9-7
• 2019: 9-7
• 2020: 11-5
• 2021: 12-5
• 2022: 7-5

When the Titans fired him on December 6 2022 Tennessee had a 7-5 record.

“With Robinson at general manager, the Titans compiled a 66-43 record, captured two AFC South crowns and made four postseason trips. During his tenure, Robinson drafted several future impact players including RB Derrick Henry (R2, No. 45 in 2016), T Jack Conklin (R1, No. 8 in 2016), S Kevin Byard (R3, No. 64 in 2016), TE Jonnu Smith (R3, No. 100 in 2017) and OLB Harold Landry (R2, No. 41 in 2018),” according to the Jets press release.

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Former Jets Pro Bowl linebacker Jonathan Vilma explained why that makes it a tough situation for his old team.

“It gets trickier, and especially for the GM. The GM, whoever it’s going to be, if they (extend Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson), that’s a lot of money off the table to develop the rest of the team. The GM is going to have to very quickly determine if these guys are the right guys. Forget talent. We know they’re super talented. That’s not the issue. Can we build around them? Are they going to be future leaders for our team? You have to determine that, and you have to determine that very quickly,” Vilma exclusively told Kyle Odegard for Heavy, [H/T Sports Lens]. “It’s an unfair situation for a GM and coach because they don’t have a year to spend with the Garrett Wilsons and the Sauce Gardners of the world. They’re going to have to rely on other people’s information about them and then make their assessment in a couple [of] months to determine whether they want to pay them or not.”

The entire 2022 draft class for the Jets is eligible to discuss a contract extension. That doesn’t mean the team has to pay them yet but they can if they see fit.

New Regime Has Several Key Jets Contract Decisions to Make

While it’s true that the new regime will have to make some big decisions with limited personal experience – it should be an easy one.

In early May the Jets have to decide on the fifth-year contractual options of their 2022 draft class. That group includes Wilson, Gardner, and pass rusher Jermaine Johnson.

According to Over The Cap’s projections, Gardner’s option is worth $20.35 million, Wilson’s option is worth $16.63 million, and Johnson’s option is worth $14.73 million.

Gardner is the first defensive back in the modern era to start his career with two first-team All-Pro selections. That contract decision should be a very easy yes for the Jets.

Wilson is on the verge of making history with three regular-season games remaining in 2024. He is just 67 yards away from his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season to start his NFL career. That should be another very easy yes from the Jets decision makers.

Johnson is a more complicated story. The former Florida State product is 25 years of age and he will be 26 by the start of the 2025 season. He is coming off of a torn Achilles that he suffered in Week 2. Johnson is an older prospect coming off of a serious injury.

The fifth-year option clauses are now fully guaranteed. That means the new regime taking over would have to decide on his future with very minimal information.

Vilma Shares Thoughts on Direction of Jets Franchise

The former Miami product was the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Jets. During his four years with the Jets, Vilma won Defensive Rookie of the Year, was on a pair of 10-win teams, and went to the playoffs twice.

Vilma knows more about winning and what it’s supposed to look like than any member of the current Jets. He was asked who was the right guy to turn around the Jets and specifically, if there was someone he would advocate the team to hire.

“No. It’s hard to say, because I don’t know what direction the Jets want to go in. I don’t know what they’ll do at the GM position, and there might be more firings to come, right? The president? I have no idea. I say that because it’s critical for upper management – ownership, president, GM – to all be on the same page about what they want their team to look like. Once you know what you want your team to look like – do you want a big defensive line, fast linebackers, a big offensive line and run game, or do you want to spread them out and have smaller, quicker, faster guys? I have no idea what they think is best for the Jets. Whatever it is, they then need to go find a head coach who exemplifies that and can coach that. I wish I could give you a more direct answer, but it’s just tough when you don’t know what the Jets are thinking,” Vilma exclusively told Heavy [H/T Sports Lens].

Vilma Talks About Rodgers Future

The other big decision for the Jets is who the heck will be starting at quarterback in 2025? One potential solution is running it back with Rodgers. He has had a string of recent games that get you thinking about the glory days.

Vilma was asked whether Rodgers should stay or go this offseason.

“I don’t have to rush on Aaron Rodgers. I’m not privy to all the contract details, but I don’t think they have to make a decision at the end of the season. So I would first take time to see what’s available in the draft. I would also sit down and talk to Aaron Rodgers to understand, what is he looking for? What are his goals? Because his goals could be very Aaron Rodgers-centric, and bringing in a younger quarterback who he doesn’t help, that’s not going to help. So you’ve got to figure out what he wants to do, and you also look at what’s going to be on the market. If you cut bait with Aaron Rodgers, why? You can’t just cut bait to say you cut bait,” Vilma explained to Heavy [H/T Sports Lens]. “Let’s have a real process, where in that process it makes sense to separate from Aaron Rodgers. So I’d look at in a three-pronged assessment, and then you make the best decision from there. But you’ve got to have a plan in place to make the best decision.”

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Gang Green announced on social media in a press release that they “have completed an interview with Thomas Dimitroff for our General Manager vacancy.”

Dimitroff Has an Impressive Resume as a League Executive

The Jets have begun their general manager search in earnest this week with people who aren’t currently tied to an NFL team.

Dimitroff, 58, has worked in football since 1990. He started his journey in the scouting world for the Canadian Football League and eventually the World League of American Football [NFL Europe].

After that, he became a scout in the NFL for four different teams from 1993 through 2002. He was then promoted to the director of college scouting for the New England Patriots and served in that role from 2003 through 2007.

During his time with the Patriots, he won a pair of Super Bowl rings. After that tenure, he was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their general manager in 2008 and stayed in that role through 2020.

Dimitroff was twice named the NFL Executive of the Year for his accomplishments with the Falcons (2008 and 2010).

“In his first draft with the Falcons, he grabbed Boston College QB Matt Ryan with the No. 3 overall selection. From 2008-12, the Falcons had five consecutive winning seasons and went to the playoffs four times while claiming the NFC South division title twice. Then, after changing coaches from Mike Smith to Dan Quinn, the Falcons advanced to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2016 NFL season and the divisional round of the playoffs in January 2016 and in 2017,” Jets reporter Eric Allen said. “Dimitroff’s tenure in Atlanta included a blockbuster trade in 2011 when he packaged five draft picks to the Cleveland Browns to select Alabama WR Julio Jones with the No. 6 overall pick. When Jones departed Atlanta in 2021 in a trade to the Titans, the future Hall of Famer left as the franchise’s reception (848) and yardage leaders (12,896) and is No. 2 in TD receptions (63).”

If Jets Value Experience Dimitroff Is a Great Option

Head coaches get multiple chances at the NFL level. The same can’t be said for general managers. Typically you get one whack at the pinata and after you succeed or fail then it’s over.

The Jets have had plenty of swings and misses on first timers at both head coach and general manager. If the brass values experience, Dimitroff would be a super appealing option.

He is a longtime NFL scout, a longtime general manager, and he had a ton of success in both fields.

Dimitroff hasn’t been involved with an NFL team since 2020, but he hasn’t sat idle either.

“In January 2022, Dimitroff helped [create] a football analytics company named SumerSports. The company says its aim is to provide ‘the best in class quantitative analysis aimed at creating precision in player acquisition and roster management in the NFL,'” according to the Jets press release.

It is a deep resume that features experience, history, and a nod to the analytical world that has taken over the NFL in recent years.

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However, the trailer makes it clear that Rodgers is focused on building character and overcoming injury.

According to The Post, the documentary, called “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma,” shows the QB discussing “how he overcame his perfectionism and discomfort with religious faith of his upbringing” by going on “ayahuasca retreats.”

According to BBC, ayahuasca “also known as yagé, is a mixture of two plants – the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and a shrub called chacruna (Psychotria viridis), which contains the hallucinogen dimethyltryptamine (DMT).”

The documentary shows footage from one of those retreats, which occurred in Costa Rica last year, and included Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer, the Post reported.

The trailer for the documentary reads, “Follow NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he rebounds from his Achilles injury in this sports series chronicling the defining and controversial moments of his life and career.” The documentary streams starting December 17.

Aaron Rodgers Says in the Documentary That He Was Trying to ‘Take a Leap of Faith,’ the Report Says

“It’s the hardest medicine possible that I’ve tried,” Rodgers said in the documentary, according to The Post. “It’s a deeply intense spiritual journey.”

According to The Post, Rodgers went on the retreat as he sought to heal from an Achilles injury.

He says in the documentary that he was trying to “let go” and “take a leap of faith” and was focused on “deep healing on the self, the ego and past trauma,” The Post reported.

“You have to go to some deep places in the shadow of your own self,” Rodgers said, according to The Post, which reported that the documentary shows “a number of the rituals.”

Aaron Rodgers Says in the Documentary’s Trailer That It Shows People ‘Behind the Curtain’

GettyAaron Rodgers could be the answer to the needs the New York Giants have for a veteran quarterback, one NFL expert believes.

The trailer shows Rodgers in various spiritual settings and poses as well as on the football field.

“I live between two worlds of the extroverted and an introverted lover of silence,’ Rodgers says in a clip from the documentary. “I’m trying to beat back Father Time and the expectations.”

The trailer says he was accused of conspiracy theories and contains a number of criticisms that have been leveled at Rodgers over the years. Although it’s not clear from the trailer what he was referring to, he does say at one point in it that he was losing friendships, family. It was heartbreaking.”

“I’m coming back to do it all,” he pledges in the documentary.

“People are getting to see behind the curtain,” he says.

“Once I started my spiritual journey everything shifted. The metamorphosis is happening,” Rodgers says in the trailer, which also shows scenes of him dealing with his injury, including in a doctor’s office.

“I’m trying to find what a new edge is. There’s football legacy and there’s character legacy,” says Rodgers.

The documentary also shows Rodgers discussing whether he would ever want to enter politics with RFK Jr.

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After the game, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich delivered a passionate locker room speech about Adams.

“One of [Aaron Rodgers’] touchdowns was the [expletive] 100th for Davante Adams. Hey guys, embrace Davante man. You get an opportunity to play with a [expletive] legend,” Ulbrich told his players.

Adams Delivered in the Clutch for the Jets

The 3-time All-Pro finished the day with nine catches for 198 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That was the second-most receiving yards that Adams has ever had in a game.

Adams didn’t have a reception in the first half. All of that production came in the second half. ESPN’s Rich Cimini said on social media that is the second most yards a player has gotten in the last 45 years after being “blanked in [the] first half.”

More specifically, 135 of the 198 receiving yards came in the last four minutes of the game which according to Cimini is “the most by any player in a game this century.”

“Historic, magical to get his 100th TD today, I feel honored to have seen it and to have been there for it. That was an amazing moment for those two guys. Obviously a lot of ball between them and a lot of touchdowns. So for them to get that is special,” Ulbrich said.

This Performance Should Make the Jets Think Twice This Offseason

This is one of the best wide receiver performances in NFL history. Adams will turn 32 on Christmas Eve and his future is up in the air.

The way his contract is structured, Adams holds all the cards this offseason. He is due to make $35.6 million in base salary over the next two years [2025 and 2026]. However none of that money is guaranteed.

“The Jets will never pay him that kind of money at age 33 and 34. All sides know those numbers will have to be redone. If Adams wants out, he can simply decline any offers to redo the deal and wait until they release him before free agency begins on March 12 (rather than carry that number into the new league year). Adams controls his own path,” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport explained.

What happens next for the Jets is a total mystery. We don’t know who the head coach or general manager is going to be moving forward. Is Aaron Rodgers coming back? With so much uncertainty it’s hard to predict the future.

Regardless of the answers to any of those questions, the Jets have to try to do everything in their power to retain Adams moving forward. The six-time Pro Bowler proved he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. That in itself is attractive but it also puts another dynamic threat opposite of Garrett Wilson.

Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, a rookie, or even another veteran quarterback would stand to benefit from playing with those talented playmakers. Adams holds the cards, so the Jets will have to convince him to stay. That should be a top priority for whoever takes over at the top of this organization for 2025 and beyond.

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After the 32-25 win over the Jags, Aaron Rodgers had a four-word response to the productive day for him and the rest of the offense.

“Too little, too late,” Rodgers said bluntly.

At 4-10, the Jets were eliminated from postseason contention after losing to the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. However, folks can’t help but wonder what could have been after seeing a breakout offensive performance in the second half versus the Jaguars.

Jets Had an Offensive Explosion Against the Jaguars

Rodgers finished the day with 289 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

Davante Adams hauled in nine receptions for 198 receiving yards and a pair of scores. One of those being the No. 100 receiving touchdown of his career.

Adams became just the No. 12 player in NFL history to achieve that feat.

Rodgers showed newfound mobility, keeping plays alive, and he led the team in rushing with 45 yards.

“It is still special. It doesn’t taint it at all, it doesn’t steal any of the joy of it, it doesn’t take away any of the fun that is going to be on the bus just now or on the plane and then we have another bus to get back to the facility. It is still going to be special, it is always special,” Rodgers explained to the media after the game. “This was a year of things that we were close but we kind of let it get away from us in the middle of the season.”

This season the Jets blew five fourth-quarter leads which is the most in franchise history for a single season. Gang Green had been 0-7 heading into Week 15 in games decided by six points or fewer.

This season Jets pass catchers have dropped 29 passes, which leads the National Football League.

After dominating with defense and special teams in 2023, those have been big reasons for the team’s failures in 2024.

You don’t have to squint very much at all to see a much different season for the Jets in 2024 but alas here we are.

This Season May Be Lost, but Next Season Is Still Very Much Undecided

Any hope for a miracle run by the Jets has already been extinguished.

However, the way the Jets finish the season could leave the door open for running it back. Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas have already been fired, but there is a world where Rodgers, Adams, and others return in 2025.

The Jets’ win over the Jaguars has removed them from the top of the draft conversation. That’ll likely eliminate the team’s selection of a young quarterback in this shallow class. The alternatives at quarterback aren’t incredibly appealing this offseason via trade and free agency.

If Rodgers keeps playing this way he could be the starting quarterback for the Jets in 2025 with a brand new regime overseeing the operation. The Jets went all in the past two seasons and it failed. Maybe the third time is the charm for the green and white in 2025.

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ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed one of the names they will speak with is ESPN analyst Louis Riddick.

“Riddick has been linked to multiple front office vacancies in recent years and interviewed for the Steelers’ GM job that went to Omar Khan in May 2022. Riddick is doing the color commentary for Monday night’s Falcons-Raiders game, and in part because of his ESPN duties, is expected to interview in the coming weeks,” Schefter explained. “[He]also interviewed for GM openings in 2020 with the Lions and Texans.”

Riddick Has a Very Interesting Resume for Jets to Consider

The current ESPN analyst started his football journey in the NFL back in 1991. Riddick was the No. 248 overall pick in the 9th round. He spent 10 years between the NFL, AFL, and the lesser-known WLAF [World League of American Football].

After his playing days, he transitioned into the scouting world with the then-Washington Redskins. Reddick was with Washington from 2001 through 2007 as a pro scout initially and eventually as the director of pro personnel.

He stayed in the division before moving to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. There, he started as a scout before becoming the assistant director of pro personnel and eventually becoming the director of pro personnel.

However, he left his NFL gigs in 2013 and joined ESPN as an analyst, where he has been ever since, in a variety of roles.

Other Interesting New Updates About the Jets Hiring Process

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero confirmed that the Jets search process will begin in earnest this week.

Another name the Jets will interview is former Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, according to Pelissero.

“It’s just the start of what is expected to be an expansive search to replace Joe Douglas,” Pelissero said. “While the Jets are doing initial GM interviews first, they aren’t prioritizing that hire over the head coach. NFL rules prohibit interviews with coaches or executives currently employed by teams until after the regular season, and there happen to be some established execs who aren’t under contract.”

Long story short it’s easier to hire a general manager first versus a head coach. There are much stricter rules for the interview process with Zoom interviews, when you can do in-person interviews, etc.

However, it’s good to hear that the Jets have an open mind about the process. That should increase the chances of them getting a better candidate as opposed to entering this process with a hard fast mindset.

The key for the Jets is of course getting this right but also making sure that the general manager and head coach hire are simpatico. You want them on the same page and ideally, you want them to already have known each other before you hired them.

That was an issue back in 2015 with Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan. They didn’t know each other and it was an arranged marriage that ended up failing. The Jets must learn from the mistakes of the past to prevent them from haunting them in the future.

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Gang Green announced on social media that veteran tight end Tyler Conklin “did not travel with [the] team for personal reasons.”

The door was left open that he “could join the club Sunday morning in Jacksonville”, per the press release.

According to Connor Hughes of SNY, Conklin has a very good excuse.

“Tyler Conklin and his wife Scottie are expecting the birth of their first child. That’s the reason for his absence. The hope is that he will rejoin the team before they play Jacksonville,” Hughes explained.

Jets Make Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Jags Game

With Conklin’s status up in the air, the Jets are covering themselves by elevating tight end Zack Kuntz from the practice squad.

If Conklin isn’t available for the game, Kuntz will likely be active on gameday to replace him. However, if Conklin is able to make it for the game, Kuntz might prove to be a healthy scratch.

Another temporary elevation is wide receiver Brandon Smith. He will be with the team for Week 15 and after the game, he will revert back to the practice squad.

Starting cornerback D.J. Reed was listed as doubtful to play on the final injury report, but on Saturday, December 14 they officially downgraded him to out. With Reed and Brandin Echols out for this game, the Jets added some depth by signing veteran Kendall Sheffield to the active roster.

To create all of this roster space, the Jets had to make several corresponding roster moves.

Running back and return specialist Kene Nwangwu was officially placed on injured reserve ending his 2024 season. The talented player broke his hand this past week.

The merry-go-round continues for former first-round pick Takk McKinley. After initially making the 53-man roster at the beginning of the season, McKinley has been on and off the roster.

The team once again released him from the practice squad ahead of Week 15.

Something to Keep an Eye out for in the Jets-Jaguars Game

Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is 123 receiving yards away from another 1,000-yard campaign. He has four regular season games left to accomplish that feat here in the 2024 season, but it could happen as early as Week 15.

If it does, Wilson will become just the fifth player in NFL history to record at least 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons.

The others in that elite group who have accomplished this include Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr who did it with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings pass catcher Justin Jefferson, and Michael Thomas who did it with the New Orleans Saints.

Wilson will be eligible to discuss a contract extension with the Jets at the end of the regular season. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets have never extended a former first-rounder after only his first three seasons.

Despite having the option to pay players early, the Jets have made the players wait. We’ll see what transpires this offseason.

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The final injury report ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars has been released. Gang Green will be without cornerbacks Brandin Echols who was ruled out with a shoulder injury and D.J. Reed is doubtful with a groin issue.

That opens the door for Qwan’tez Stiggers to make the first start of his NFL career.

Stiggers Is One of the Best Stories in the NFL

Stiggers, 22, was the No. 176 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

“I’m excited for him. If he gets an opportunity to play, I’m excited about what he can do. He is a guy that has demonstrated great growth this season and he’s got elite ball skills. If we got to roll with Qwan’tez Stiggers, we’re excited about that opportunity for him and for us,” interim Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich explained.

Elite ball skills are something the Jets have been craving on the defensive side of the ball. The Jets have only two interceptions this season on defense which is tied for last in the NFL with the New York Giants, per ESPN.

He never played college football but had a unique path with experience in the 7-on-7 fan-controlled football league and he also played in the Canadian Football League.

In the CFL in 2023 he was named the “Most Outstanding Rookie while playing with the Toronto Argonauts,” per Jets senior contributor Randy Lange.

During that campaign, he made 16 starts, had five interceptions, and racked up 56 tackles.

Throughout his first offseason with the Jets after being drafted, he displayed those playmaking instincts. The game didn’t seem too big for him despite the transition from the CFL to the NFL level.

Now there is a difference between practice and a game – Allen Iverson can tell you that. This is a massive step up in competition and it’ll be a good test to see where Stiggers is in his development.

The Jets aren’t going to the playoffs for the No. 14 season in a row which is disappointing, but finding out that Stiggers is a starting level corner could be a solid consolation prize and silver lining in a lost season.

Stiggers has only appeared in 16 defensive snaps this season for the Jets.

Stiggers Has a Path to a Starting Gig in 2025

The Week 15 Jets versus Jags game will provide a sneak peek of the future. Reed and Echols are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents this offseason.

Two of the Jets’ starting cornerbacks, Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II, are under contract in 2025. However, with Reed on his way out, one other starting gig in the secondary is available if someone wants to take it.

Stiggers is under team control through the 2027 season at a cheap rate ($4.2 million in total value). One thing that’ll be working against him is a new regime taking over.

The group that drafted him has either all been fired or inevitably will be at season’s end. Stiggers will have to prove himself to a new group and he can go a long way towards that by putting on some good tape on defense.

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“I find it extremely funny that he’s saying this on a show with a man, who as great as he was as a punter, is far more famous as a pundit in Pat McAfee,” Clark said alongside Cam Newton and Stephen A. Smith. Clark was responding to shots Rodgers took at some of ESPN’s hosts while appearing on ESPN’s the “Pat McAfee Show” on December 10.

Clark posted video of his commentary on X.

“There’s a lot of people talking about the game now,” Rodgers said. “Both non-former players and former players who are trying to stay relevant fame-wise. So the takes and the criticism are a lot different than they were maybe in the mid-2000s.”

That didn’t make Clark very happy. He called Rodgers a “fraud” and called him “blatantly hypocritical,” which he called “funny and sickening” at the same time.

He said that Rodgers is paid $1 million “or whatever it is to be on Pat McAfee” because “you had a great career” so people want to hear Rodgers’ opinions.

He said he wasn’t with upset what Rodgers said, but he said, “My issue with him is you are doing the exact same thing.”

Ryan Clark Said That Aaron Rodgers Is ‘Tone Deaf’ & ‘Unaware’

GettyAaron Rodgers

That wasn’t the end of Clark’s calling out of Rodgers. He said that Rodgers was saying “asinine things,” because “someone is paying you who is exactly the same thing you are speaking out against” and was “tone deaf” and unaware.

“This dude is once again arrogant to a point that’s almost sickening,” he added.

He talks tough, “but he ain’t,” Clark said. He said that Rodgers has a “cachet” because he’s a great player. “This dude is a fraud. He’s been a fraud, and he can throw a football and that’s where it stops. Once that talent ends, so does him and so does he,” Clark said.

Rodgers’ comments on ESPN came after A.J. Hawk asked Rodgers to discuss how things have changed during his time in the NFL. Rodgers discussed players, but he then went into the rant about ESPN.

“And that’s what they showed on SportsCenter. Now it’s all talk shows and people whose opinions are so important now and they believe they’re the celebrities now, they’re the stars for just being able to talk about sports or give a take about sports, many of which are unfounded or asinine, as we all know. But that’s the environment we’re in now,” he added on the show.

Ryan Clark Said That He Admires Aaron Rodgers’ Talents as a Quarterback

GettyFormer Detroit Lions foe Aaron Rodgers is with the New York Jets now, so he’s not as much a rival. Now, he’s sending a message to the Lions.

Clark did have some positive things to say about Rodgers’ playing abilities.

“Actually, Aaron Rodgers you’re being paid to be on that show to give your thoughts and opinions as a personality,” Clark said. “And don’t get me wrong, he is not just to me a first-ballot Hall of Famer, he is one of the best and most talented quarterbacks to ever play this game and he ain’t no more. And his problem is that people are willing to say it. Are people not supposed to be able to do their jobs?”

He said that people should be able to be honest with “who you are as a player.” He said, “Times change.”

Clark was critical of Rodgers on X as well. “Aaron Rodgers blasted former players for believing they are stars now after not having the greatest of careers. It’s ironic that he said this while being paid to by a former player who is the epitome of the people he’s lamenting!” he wrote.

“Aaron is one of the greatest players of all time, and in my opinion top 2 most talented QBs to ever play. Still, his latest rant is hypocritical, tone deaf, & extremely unaware, but hey he’s Aaron Rodgers right? It doesn’t have to make sense!” he added.

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NFL Insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was asked in a mailbag article to predict who will be the next head coach and general manager of the Jets.

“As for the coach and GM, I feel like the fit is going to be a big piece of the puzzle. So, maybe you bring in a couple of guys who’ve been in the market. I’ll give you one who’s from there, one who played there, both of whom have worked for the team, and say Buffalo Bills assistant GM Brian Gaine as GM and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as head coach,” Breer said.

“I do think experience will be a factor. Gaine has been a GM. Glenn hasn’t been a head coach, but played 15 years of pro football, and has coached for a decade.”

Gaine and Glenn Combination Will Be Names Jets Fans Are Familiar With

ESPN’s Rich Cimini recently shared sourced inside information that Glenn is “very” interested in the Jets vacancy.

He played in the league for 15 seasons, with eight coming with the Jets. He also worked as a personnel scout for two seasons with the team in his post-playing career.

Gaine wasn’t nearly the player Glenn was at the NFL level, but he did have a cup of coffee with the team in 1996. During his very brief NFL career, he was on the practice squad of three NFL teams across three seasons but he never appeared in a game.

However similar to Glenn, after his playing days he transitioned into scouting. The first six seasons of his post-playing career were spent with the Jets as a scout. Then from 2005 through present day he has advanced his career as an NFL executive.

During that run, he has held roles as an assistant director of pro scouting, assistant director of player personnel, director of player personnel, assistant general manager, vice president of player personnel, and senior personnel advisor.

Gaine has been a general manager before when he filled in with the Houston Texans between 2018 and 2019.

Insider Update on the Jets Search Process

ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that the Jets have already begun “preliminary work on general manager candidates, including the evaluation of those not currently in the league. That makes sense, since clubs are free to talk with candidates not currently employed in the NFL but must wait until after the regular season to submit interview requests for those employed by other teams.”

One name that is a potential candidate is former Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, Fowler noted is someone he expects the team to “research.”

“The Jets will conduct wide-ranging searches for their open GM and head coaching positions, with former league executives Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman aiding the search. It’s unclear whether New York will hire a coach or general manager first, though some around the league suspect it will start at GM,” Fowlers said.

Cimini said Mike Vrabel would be “open” to the Jets job pending their hire at GM. However, Fowler seemed to push back saying, “I don’t necessarily see the Saints or Jets as the play [for Vrabel], though it’s early.”

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According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is “very interested” in the Jets job.

“Now I have not talked to Aaron in quite some time but I can tell you that he really is really interested in the Jets position. I think he’d love to talk to them about it. He interviewed with the Jets in 2021. I think at that particular time he was just getting on the head coaching radar but obviously his stock with the Lions’ success is at an all-time high,” Cimini said. “He is a good leader, he knows how to change a culture, there is no better example in sports than the Detroit Lions.”

He explained that the Jets will have some competition for Glenn’s services because the New Orleans Saints are expected to be interested.

Glenn’s final season in the NFL as a player was with the Saints in 2008. He also coached there from 2016 through 2020 as the defensive backs coach.

#Lions DC Aaron Glenn is “very interested” in the #Jets vacant head coaching position, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

“Now I have not talked to Aaron in quite some time but I can tell you that he really is really interested in the Jets position.”

Cimini also said he believes… pic.twitter.com/9EzpUL8AP3

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 12, 2024

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Jets Would Be Welcoming Glenn Back Home

Glenn, 52, played in the NFL for 15 seasons. He started off his football journey as the No. 12 overall pick of the Jets in the first round in 1994. Eight of his fifteen seasons were spent with the Jets during his playing career.

Glenn was a three-time Pro Bowler appearing in 205 games and making 176 starts. He racked up 41 interceptions, 102 pass deflections, and finished his career with 639 combined tackles.

After his playing career, Glenn spent two more years with the Jets as a personnel scout before he transitioned into coaching.

If the Jets hired him, it would be a coming home that the fan base would welcome.

Glenn Would Have Some Serious Questions to Answer

While there is a touchy-feely element to a potential Glenn-Jets reunion, it isn’t a perfect answer.

Glenn has never been a head coach before. During Woody Johnson’s ownership of the Jets, six of the seven head coaches hired were first-time head coaches.

The other problem is he’s a defensive guy. 99% of the Jets coaching hires under Johnson have been defensive guys the only exception is Adam Gase and we know how that turned out.

“My first question to Aaron Glenn during the interview would be who is going to be your offensive coordinator? Jets fans know how important that is getting the offense figured out,” Cimini added.

At the end of the day if you look around the NFL successful coaches come in all shapes and sizes. John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens has special teams roots, Sean McVay is an offensive guy for the Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is a longtime defensive guy.

The Jets need to get the hire right regardless of the side of the ball the coach comes from.

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Rodgers made the comments on the Pat McAfee show on December 10, which is aired on the same network, ESPN. DailyMail.com called Rodgers’ comments an “astonishing rant.”

Sports Illustrated noted that Rodgers took “shots at ESPN while appearing on ESPN.”

“There’s a lot of people talking about the game now,” Rodgers said. “Both non-former players and former players who are trying to stay relevant fame-wise. So the takes and the criticism are a lot different than they were maybe in the mid-2000s.”

His comment came after A.J. Hawk asked Rodgers to discuss how things have changed during his time in the NFL. Rodgers discussed players, but he then went into the rant about ESPN.

“I’m talking about these experts on TV who nobody remembers what they did in their career,” Rodgers said on the show..

Aaron Rodgers Said Sports Hosts Try to ‘Stay Relevant’

Rodgers said he believes that sports punditry has changed during his time in the NFL.

“So in order for them to stay relevant, they have to make comments that keep them in the conversation. That wasn’t going on in 2008, 2009. The SportsCenter of my youth, those guys made highlights so much fun,” Rodgers said.

“And that’s what they showed on SportsCenter. Now it’s all talk shows and people whose opinions are so important now and they believe they’re the celebrities now, they’re the stars for just being able to talk about sports or give a take about sports, many of which are unfounded or asinine, as we all know. But that’s the environment we’re in now,” he added on the show.

Rodgers said that “all of that stuff has helped the popularity of our game.”

Rodgers made it clear that he wasn’t talking about McAfee during the segment.

Aaron Rodgers Also Said He Believes Football Players Have Changed

GettyFormer Detroit Lions foe Aaron Rodgers is with the New York Jets now, so he’s not as much a rival. Now, he’s sending a message to the Lions.

Rodgers said that NFL players are “bigger, stronger, and faster,” but he believes “football IQ has dropped.”

From a football skillset, he believes it’s better, Rodgers said.

He also said it’s a “different social media world” than when he started in the NFL. “Now there’s a lot of emphasis on the brand,” Rodgers said, adding that there are more opportunities to make money “off the field.”

Rodgers said the game today is “less violent,” and the players are better athletes.

“We’re mirroring society a bit. The softer we get, the softer our game gets,” Rodgers added.

Shailene Woodley Opened Up in an Interview About Her Relationship With Aaron Rodgers

GettyShailene Woodley

Rodgers’ comments came just days after actress Shailene Woodley opened up about her relationship with him in an interview with Outside Magazine in December 2024.

“I had a really awful, traumatic thing happen in early 2022,” she said to Outside, which notes that her “engagement to NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers was called off that February.”

Woodley also said, in another point in the interview, “I haven’t shared much about my relationship with Aaron because it always makes me cry. It was not right. But it was beautiful.”

Woodley described the toll that the situation took on her in the interview with Outside.

“I felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy,” she told the publication. “I really understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment.”

She described it as a “toxic situation,” in which she was “empathizing with ‘someone else.'”

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ESPN’s Field Yates shared a full first-round mock draft on Wednesday, December 11. For the Jets, he predicted that they would select Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.

“The Jets’ draft-day direction will be an interesting storyline to follow. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future is uncertain, but enough young core players are in place that a new GM and coach might not view this as a rebuild, but instead a team that can make strides in a hurry,” Yates explained. “Defensive tackle figures to be an issue, and Graham is a hand-in-glove fit for any defense given his versatility and explosive skill set. He is powerful, dynamic getting off the ball, instinctive and relentless. Graham and Quinnen Williams would form quite a duo.”

SOME MUCH NEEDED BRUTUS BEEFCAKE!

In @FieldYates‘ mock draft for ESPN, he predicted the #Jets to take Michigan DT Mason Graham (@ConnorJRogers‘ boy!) in the first round!

“The Jets’ draft-day direction will be an interesting storyline to follow. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future… pic.twitter.com/PrEMN7D0Nq

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Tough to Prognosticate With so Many Questions up in the Air for the Jets

Who is going to be the next head coach? What about the general manager? What scheme is this team going to be running on both sides of the ball?

There are so many questions and so few answers. That makes predicting what the Jets will do four and a half months out a near impossibility.

However, you can boil it down to two potential strategies.

A win now approach or thinking about the future. If the next regime takes over and thinks they can salvage this very talented roster and turn things around quickly then perhaps a win now player makes sense.

Graham would certainly fit that bill.

Perhaps the next regime will have a different perspective. The Jets tried an all-in strategy over the last two years and it failed miserably. Maybe it’s time to take your lumps and rebuild again.

That could lead the next regime to take a young quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft.

Graham Would Make the Jets Better

Graham, 21, has appeared in 39 games during his college career. During that run, Graham has racked up nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

“[Graham] Was my no. 1 player during our summer scouting series. You will consistently see him near the top of mock drafts after the 2 QBs and Travis Hunter are taken. Complete IDL prospect,” NBC Analyst Connor Rogers said on social media.

On Tuesday, December 10 Graham officially announced that he was entering the 2025 NFL draft and in the process forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Yates responded to that news on social media by saying, “Mason Graham is a zero-weakness player. He does everything well. Explosive, powerful, tenacious, a disruptive pass rusher who was pushing experienced college OL around as an 18-year old true freshman. A truly dominant player.”

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Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced at his media availability that special teams ace and wide receiver Irvin Charles suffered a torn ACL. He will be placed on injured reserve which will end his 2024 season.

“In a very tough challenging year in a lot of ways, [he] was an absolute bright spot for this team. A guy who has emerged … I really believe had he finished the season playing the way he was playing, he would have been a shoo-in for Pro Bowl as far as special teams players are concerned. He took amazing jumps, leaps, and bounds as far as his contributions for us and excited about his future. It’s just so unfortunate that the knee happened as it did. I thought it was amazing the way that you felt the sideline with an injury like that. You just felt the love and regard this team has for him and what he has meant to this team. They were shook when he got hurt,” Ulbrich explained.

A Great Story Has a Disappointing End for the Jets in 2024

Charles, 27, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

During his college career, he played wide receiver and was involved in special teams. At the NFL level, the Jets allowed him to continue doing exactly that with a shot at the 90-man roster and he carved out a role.

Charles is listed at 6-foot-4 and tips the scales at 219 pounds, per the Jets’ official roster sheet. Over the last two seasons, Charles appeared in 25 games and made 14 total tackles, 11 of which were solo.

“Irv Charles finishes his 2024 season with a stellar 88.6 PFF special teams grade, ranks 5th among 215 qualifiers. Has developed into one of the most valuable ST players in the NFL. A possible Pro Bowler. Really tough break for one of the coolest Jets developmental stories,” The Jet Press wrote on social media.

Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer went to bat for Charles as one of the best in the league.

“Irv has had a monster year and if you could find me a better special teamer in this league I’d like to see it. There are a lot of really good players throughout the league, but as far as a dominating presence on every phase I’d like to see one that’s better than that kid,” Boyer said.

According to Spotrac, Charles is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this offseason for the Jets. The next regime will have to decide if they will tender Charles or if they will allow him to hit unrestricted free agency in 2025.

Other News and Notes on Jets Injuries Heading Into Week 15

The Jets are evaluating running back and return specialist Kene Nwangwu who has a “hand” injury and his status is up in the air.

Breece Hall is “struggling a bit” with his knee injury. The team is hopeful that Alijah Vera-Tucker will be good to go but the team isn’t sure about his status.

Haason Reddick is dealing with an illness so he won’t practice. Sauce Gardner, after missing the Miami Dolphins game with a hamstring issue, will be good to go for the Jacksonville Jaguars game.

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