Optimism was in the air on April 26, 2023, after Aaron Rodgers was acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. “I noticed walking in this morning that Super Bowl III trophy is looking a little lonely,” Rodgers said during his introductory press conference. Almost two years later, Rodgers’ jerseys at Dick’s Sporting Goods are marked 50% off in anticipation of his departure following Sunday’s meaningless game against the Dolphins (8-8). What happened during the time in between was a precipitous fall for Rodgers. After arguably being the best quarterback in the NFL, Rodgers is now contemplating retirement after a challenging two-year tenure with the Jets. Rodgers is, however, grateful for his time with the Jets (4-12), regardless of what his future holds. “It is a tough business, it is a great profession, Rodgers said. “We have gone through a lot this year, we have gone through coaching changes and operational changes and schedule changes and players in and out, it has been a trying time. “I think we have dealt with a lot of adversity, this will be a year for a lot of these young guys to look back on if they handle it the right way in the offseason that there is just so much growth that can come from the adversity, the years flying high, winning can kind of gloss over a lot of things. There hasn’t been any glossing over anything here the last couple years, so good time for all of us to reflect on the season, to enjoy each other for the last five days.” After winning four NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP with the Packers, Rodgers, 41, will go down as one of the best quarterbacks in league history. However, his time with the Jets will be a blemish on a stellar career. Rodgers’ highly anticipated debut with the Jets on Sept. 11, 2023, ended as quickly as it started. He tore his Achilles four plays into the opener and missed the rest of that season. In Rodgers’ absence, the Jets finished 7-10. Hopefulness continued among Jets fans and pundits entering the 2024 season after Rodgers healed his Achilles. Many predicted that the Jets would not only end their 13-year playoff drought but also win the AFC East and challenge for a trip to the Super Bowl. But Rodgers’ second season with the Jets has been more disappointing than the first. The Jets began the season 2-1 but have lost 11 of their last 13 games entering the season finale against the Dolphins.  Jets owner Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start. Johnson also fired general manager Joe Douglas last November after more than five seasons on the job. When Johnson fired Saleh, he called the Jets “one of the most talented teams” in Jets history. But despite all the changes and trading for Rodgers’ close friend and ex-Packers teammate Davante Adams, the Jets will extend North America’s longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. Under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets have a 2-9 record. During that time, Rodgers has also battled hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries at various points. In addition, Rodgers looks like a shell of the player who won four NFL MVP awards with the Packers. In 16 games, Rodgers has thrown for 3,623 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He ranks 25th out of 33 qualified passers in Total QBR. Rodgers told reporters that despite a difficult season, he fell in love with football again after 18 seasons with the Packers. He also treasures the relationships he has made within the Jets organization. “A guy like that, as a kid, you always dreamt of playing with somebody like that,” Jets left guard John Simpson said about playing with Rodgers. “For it to actually happen, it’s like a f—–g dream. “It’s hard to put in words, but having a quarterback like that’s done everything that he has done and having somebody like that behind you makes me want to go a little harder and play well for him.” With a new general manager and coach coming to the Jets in 2025, Rodgers’ future with the team remains cloudy. The Jets will likely have a new quarterback next season, but Rodgers said he needs a mental break before deciding whether to continue playing. Rodgers is under contract for 2025, but none of his salary is guaranteed. If the Jets were to bring him back, they would need to exercise a $35 million option bonus before the start of next season and Rodgers would count $23.5 million against the salary cap. If Rodgers retires or the Jets release him, the team would take a $49 million dead cap hit. “I think there’s going to be change here, and if I’m a part of the change,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a great experience all around, and again, I’m disappointed about the performance of both myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity. If I feel good coming back, and they want to make another run at this, that’d be fantastic, but I’m not naive to the situation we’re in.” In what could be his final NFL game, Rodgers could join an illustrious club. He needs just one touchdown to register the 500th touchdown pass of his career. “To even be a small part of his story is, it’s an honor, and if it happens to be his last game, let’s take him out on the right note,” Ulbrich said. The Rodgers era with the Jets will ultimately end as one of the most disappointing in franchise history. It included lackluster performances, multiple failed fourth-quarter comebacks, and the firings of Douglas and Saleh. But it’s hard to fault the Jets for pushing all the chips in the middle of the table to win a championship. But after hitting rock bottom, the Jets have nowhere to go but up after what has been a nightmare season for the ages.