Aaron Rodgers admits he could be just days away from his final appearance in the NFL as he weighs up the possibility of retirement.
Rodgers and the New York Jets will bring their disastrous season to an end when they take on the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
And amid questions over his future in the sport – with many calling for him to retire at 41 – the Super Bowl-winning quarterback accepts this weekend could mark the last time he ever steps foot on the field.
‘Yeah, of course,’ he said when asked if he’s considered that Sunday’s game could turn out to be his NFL finale.
Rodgers, who will reach 248 appearances in the NFL when he lines up against the Dolphins, has endured one of the worst seasons of his career with the Jets, who are now 4-12 after being eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago.
He has thrown 10 interceptions in 16 appearances, the fourth-highest amount he has thrown in a single campaign across 19 years in the NFL, while being sacked 37 times – the fifth-highest total of his career.
Aaron Rodgers admits he could be just days away from his final appearance in the NFL
The four-time MVP is also on course to record his lowest number of passing yards (3,623) in a season where he has played at least 10 games.
Ahead of Sunday’s final game of the season, Rodgers revealed he will decide whether to play on in 2025 before free agency in March, while also reflecting on his career with the emotional tone of a man very much contemplating retirement.
‘Just a lot of gratitude for the last 20 years and the many, countless lives I’ve encountered and the teammates and coaches I now call friends,’ he said.
‘This game has given me a lot, and I’ve given a lot back to it. Thankful for it. I won’t be thinking about that come gameday, I’ll just be enjoying this.
‘I’m trying to stay in the moment, but of course it’s been a long career that I’m really proud of, what I’ve been able to be a part of, what I’ve been able to accomplish. Also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.’
And as he likely waves goodbye to the Jets for good, with the two parties expected to go their separate ways in the offseason, Rodgers surprisingly described his disastrous stint in New York as the most enjoyable of his life.
‘I mean, gratitude, honestly. It’s been the best two years of my life,’ he said of his Jets tenure. ‘And that’s a perspective adjustment that happened at some point during the rehab process last year.
‘But just the excitement, falling back in love with the game, getting to know these guys in here, the great men and women who work here, it’s been a lot of fun.
Rodgers has endured one of the worst seasons of his NFL career with the Jets this season
‘Obviously on the field it’s been short of expatiations, no doubt, but this game’s about more than just that.
‘Obviously, I wish things would have gone better on the field, but nothing but gratitude for this time in my life.’
About his probable Jets exit, he added: ‘I’m just more resigned to the reality of the situation. I think there’s going to be change here, and if I’m a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows I’ve got nothing but gratitude for my time here. I enjoyed speaking with you all every single week and the questions. I do appreciate it, I really do.
‘Again, I’m disappointed about the performance from both myself and as a team, but I’m really thankful about the opportunity. If I feel good coming back and they want to make another run at this, that would be fantastic, but I’m not naïve to the situation that we’re in.’
