At 3-7 with seven games remaining, many Jets fans have already turned their attention towards the 2025 offseason.
Gang Green is still mathematically alive for playoff contention. But after losing six of their last seven games, the Jets would need a miracle finish to end their 13-year postseason drought.
If the Jets miss the playoffs again, they will have several significant questions to address. That includes the coach, general manager, and Aaron Rodgers, despite the 20-year veteran telling reporters on Wednesday that he wants to return next season.
Let’s answer some of those questions in this week’s mailbag.
Gut feeling: who would you say are the GM and HC of the Jets next year? — @szantz
What I would do and what the Jets will likely do are two different things. If I were running the Jets, I would target Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
A former defensive tackle out of NC State, Agnew played 11 seasons in the NFL and then transitioned into a scout role after retiring from football in 2000. From there, Agnew made his way up the ranks, spending 18 seasons with the Rams and four years of those as the director of pro scouting.
After watching the Lions, Agnew is certainly qualified after being Brad Holmes’ right-hand man in Detroit. Glenn played for the Jets from 1994-2001 and has done a tremendous job helping the Lions become one of the best teams in the NFL. So, it is a no-brainer that the Jets should bring him in for an interview.
The Jets will likely make a move to accommodate Rodgers. That could include bringing in Mike McCarthy and maybe bringing in former Titans general manager Jon Robinson.
Agnew and his convincing Glenn to come with him is the right move.
Do you see Rodgers being amiable to learning a new offense? Or new head coach/offensive coordinator will have to most likely use Rodgers’ system or enhance Rodgers’ system? — @JetsMets4Life
Rodgers is a stubborn guy, so that could be an issue. But the Jets shouldn’t choose a coach who would cater to the four-time NFL MVP. They should select the right person for the job.
Let’s face it, if Rodgers does return, he will be entering his age 42 season. The Jets are already seeing his skills decline from a mobility standpoint, along with the loss of accuracy, which made Rodgers one of the best quarterbacks ever.
Most coaches can figure out plays highlighting what Rodgers still does best, including his ability to get the ball quickly to his receivers. So, no, I don’t think the next Jets coach will have to use Rodgers’ system. But they would have to incorporate what Rodgers is comfortable with.
Do you think a prospective head coach hire will like the idea of having Rodgers for a year to teach a draft pick or Jordan Travis? Or would they prefer not to have him in the building? — @MichaelBodine10
If the Jets force Rodgers upon a coaching candidate, that would limit the pool of candidates. I believe some coaches wouldn’t want to enter that situation with Rodgers, who would be 41 and is a player who won’t improve at his age.
The likely scenario is that if Rodgers does return, the Jets will select a young quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Yes, the Jets selected Travis in last year’s draft. The problem is that the new coach and general manager won’t be tied to Travis, a fifth-round pick.
Having a young quarterback in the building outside of Travis isn’t a bad idea. I don’t think the Jets will be bad enough to draft Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Because of that, the Jets may have to look at quarterbacks such as Penn State’s Drew Allar or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Does the next GM go full rebuild or try and patch up what we have for 2025? — @Gustoon
I believe the Jets should move on from Rodgers, whether he retires or not. The Jets are projected to have $32.9 million in salary cap space but would take a $49 million cap charge if they released Rodgers, according to Over the Cap. That would reduce their cap space by $25.5 million, meaning they would have $7.4 million to spend without releasing anyone else.
In that case, the Jets should start Tyrod Taylor for a year and keep Travis as the backup quarterback. That way, the Jets can evaluate Travis and he can eventually start a few games. That would mean punting on the 2025 season, but it is better if the Jets take the total cap hit now instead of spreading it through two years.
Given what we have seen this year, I’m not sure the Jets will compete anyway next season. If Jets owners Woody and Christopher Johnson want to run it back with Rodgers, Davante Adams and company one more year, this team will be a year older. The faster the Jets decide to rebuild, the better off they could potentially be, especially since the Patriots have already begun that process and found their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye.
