After meeting with the front office last week, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers was informed that the Jets will move on without him next season. 

The Jets made it official on Thursday.

We have informed Aaron Rodgers that we will be moving in a different direction at quarterback.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 13, 2025

FOXSports insider Jay Glazer first broke the news during the Super Bowl LIX pregame show, reporting that Rodgers had flown to New Jersey to meet with new head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey. During that meeting, the team informed him of their decision. 

Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, both third on the Jets' single-season list, but this decision went beyond numbers. It involved age, salary cap, scheme fit, and culture fit. 

Glenn is expected to run a tighter ship than the previous regime, and he made it clear in his introductory news conference that he wants 53 players, not one megastar and 52 supporting actors.

It's safe to say Glenn didn't think Rodgers met the criteria. 

Several talent evaluators told ESPN.com's Rich Cimini recently that Rodgers can still be a productive starter, but they wondered about his fit in Glenn's culture. "Aaron isn't a bad guy -- he's great -- but personalities clash when you're trying to establish power," one opposing coach said.

Meanwhile, Glazer believes that Rodgers taking the time to fly back to discuss his future indicates he wants to continue playing.

It just won't be for the Jets . . . 

Possible Landing Spots

While Rodgers would most likely be viewed as a bridge to a quarterback of the future, there are no shortage of teams needing just that as we head into draft and free-agent season.

The list of teams already being mentioned includes:

• Colts -- GM Chris Ballard has openly discussed adding competition for Anthony Richardson.
• Vikings -- Minnesota believes J.J. McCarthy will be ready to take over as their starter if they let Sam Darnold move on in free agency, but Rodgers could be seen as insurance.
• Titans -- Tennessee has the first pick in April's NFL Draft, but an already well-stocked roster, wide-open division, and potentially quick path to playoff contention could lead to interest. 
• Raiders -- With the sixth pick in the draft, Las Vegas will likely miss out on the top rookie QBs, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, although it's not clear they'll go all in on an aging veteran. 
• Giants -- They have a serious need but are nowhere near contending. That said, Rodgers is familiar with the area, has already dealt with the New York media, and could remain in place -- even playing in the same stadium.
• Browns -- With Deshaun Watson expected to miss the 2025 season, a replacement is necessary. Cleveland Plain Dealer staffer Mary Kay Cabot recently suggested, however, that Rodgers will likely cost more than the Browns are willing to pay and certainly won't want to sit behind a rookie if they land Ward or Sanders with the No. 2 pick in April. 
• Saints -- New Orleans could save $30 million by releasing Derek Carr with a post-June 1 designation. If they can work their way out of the rest of Carr's contract, Rodgers would become a viable option for incoming head coach Kellen Moore to work with in year one.
• Steelers -- As CBSSports.com noted, Mike Tomlin bought into the idea of rolling with an aging but once-elite veteran in 2024, so switching from Russell Wilson to Rodgers wouldn't be a huge leap.

Expect the discussions connecting Rodgers to all these possible landing spots to ramp up in the coming weeks.

What's Next In New York?

Cimini noted that with the Rodgers Era over, the Jets are back in an all-too-familiar place -- quarterback purgatory. 

They don't have a young heir apparent, and there's no obvious answer in free agency or the draft. 

What does Glenn want in the position?

"A winner," he said. "Mental and physical toughness."

The next starter may be already on the roster. Tyrod Taylor, 35, has 58 career starts and has played well in his limited opportunities. But he has a history of injuries and hasn't started more than six games in a season since 2017. 

The Jets also have 2024 fifth-round pick Jordan Travis, but he missed his entire rookie season after a devastating lower left leg injury at Florida State.

At this point, he's a developmental prospect.

Another possibility?

The team starts from scratch, adding a veteran and, quite possibly, a draft pick. 

Cimini notes this isn't unfamiliar territory for Mougey, who experienced the same thing in his previous job when the Broncos cut Wilson last year and absorbed a massive cap hit.

The 2025 free agent market is thin, with Darnold, Wilson, Justin Fields, and Daniel Jones currently among the top names. In addition, the Falcons, who have committed to Michael Penix Jr., could release Kirk Cousins.

Cousins would also be cost-effective because the Falcons are on the hook for his $27.5 million guaranteed base salary. The Jets would only be responsible for the veteran minimum, roughly $1.2 million.

The draft offers little hope for finding a surefire replacement. 

Picking seventh, the Jets probably won't have a shot at Ward or Sanders, and the consensus says there's a significant drop-off to the next tier of prospects, led by Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller even projected Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers to the Jets in Round 2 last week.

You can learn more about them in the just-released Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide; download it now if you haven't already. In the meantime, I'll continue to watch for more here . . . 

What About Adams?

Rodgers' imminent departure also means the Jets could release Davante Adams, who almost certainly needs to renegotiate his prohibitive cap charge ($38.3 million) to stay on the roster. 

Adams said after the season that his decision would be influenced by whether Rodgers stays or goes.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Adams would be open to signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers if released by the Jets.

The Chargers could use a true alpha receiver to work opposite rising star Ladd McConkey; the Rams are preparing to trade Cooper Kupp; and the Niners' need is about to increase after giving Deebo Samuel Sr. permission to seek a trade.

Bottom Line

Rodgers' departure signals a major shift for the Jets, but his NFL career is likely to continue. Whether he finds a contender or takes on a bridge role, Rodgers' next move will impact the 2025 season -- not just for his next team, but for fantasy managers who hoping he can deliver one more year of high-end production.

Bob Harris was the first ever Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year and is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. You can find Harris on the Footballguys Audible channel and listen to him during the season on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio's The Football Diehards show on Sirius channel 87.

Follow @footballdiehard