It appears as though Aaron Rodgers’ days with the New York Jets are coming to a close. With the expectation being that Rodgers leaves New York, questions will turn to his potential replacements.
There are several quarterbacks available in 2025, but according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, one player stands out as an ideal candidate.
Aaron Rodgers To Leave New York
After two disappointing seasons in New York, Rodgers will be looking for a new team in 2025. It remains a possibility that he decides to retire from football altogether, but a player with his NFL track record won’t be short of offers.
With the team seemingly a franchise quarterback away from competing for Super Bowls, the Jets made a move to acquire Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in 2023. Two years on, and the team has failed to make a playoff appearance since his arrival.
While he can’t be fully blamed for an Achilles injury that sidelined him for all but four snaps of the 2023 season, Rodgers has managed to deceive when healthy. Speaking on his ESPN show “Flight Deck with Rich Cimini,” Cimini suggested it’s time for Rodgers to go.
“Eight or nine games, he did not play well. There were so many chances, at the end of games, where he could have pulled out victories, and he didn’t. And I think you just have to move on.”
Kirk Cousins To Replace Rodgers?
Though the writing appears to be on the wall in terms of Rodgers’ future in New York, what’s less clear is who’ll replace him. When asked for his thoughts on the show, Cimini had one name in mind.
“My early guess right now is Kirk Cousins.”
“Cousins was playing okay last year, and then, all of a sudden, the wheels came off mysteriously. [He]Played terribly down the stretch and got benched.
“He came out last week at the Super Bowl and said there was an undisclosed shoulder injury. That certainly could explain why his performance went south.”
It’s true that Cousins was playing well in Atlanta before his reported injury in Week 10. The Falcons went into that game with a 6-3 record before losing four straight.
Cousins addressed the injury on “Good Morning Football.”
There’s no way the Falcons could upset me when they’re in Cabo right now.
Kirk Cousins:
pic.twitter.com/wuK7DIt5Jb— Carrie (@carrielynnxox) February 4, 2025
How Do Rodgers, Cousins Compare?
According to Pro Football Network’s QB+ metric, Rodgers just edged out Cousins in 2024.
MORE: 4 Potential Landing Spots For Aaron Rodgers Entering NFL Offseason
The former Packer finished 21st among qualifying quarterbacks with a score of 72.2, a full point ahead of Cousins, who came in at 24th. For context, Caleb Williams ranked 33rd with a score of 63.2, while Lamar Jackson topped the charts with 99.8 over the regular season.
Perhaps 2025 could answer the questions surrounding both players if they find the right team. Is Rodgers still capable of greatness? Was Cousins’ dip in form purely down to an injury? Bring on 2025.