Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Jets was one of the first big decisions new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn were forced to make in their opening few months with the organization.
The new regime ultimately decided it would be best for them to start off fresh -- cutting the future Hall of Fame quarterback loose and then ultimately signing Justin Fields on a two-year deal in free agency.
While it was a tough decision, owner Woody Johnson ultimately feels it was the correct one.
“The experiment was a good experiment it just didn’t work out,” Johnson told reporters at the Annual Meetings. “I have a lot of respect for Aaron and I’m sorry it didn’t work out but we had to make a choice. And I think we made the right choice.”
Rodgers, who remains available on the open market, spent two years in New York.
He missed all of 2023 after suffering a devastating Achilles injury in the season opener -- and after an extensive rehab process, he was able to make it back last year and showed some positive flashes but only led the team to a 5-12 record.
While Fields doesn’t quite have the same background of the 10-time Pro Bowler, Johnson feels that with the help of this coaching staff he still has the upside and potential to develop into a true two-way weapon.
"Justin I think is going to be really good,” the owner said. “I saw him in college, I thought he was very enticing being in that class with some good quarterbacks. He’s a dual-threat which we haven’t had with the Jets for quite some time.
“With the coaching staff he has now, I think he’s gonna have a chance to really blossom -- so I’m encouraged.”
Fields is coming off a season in which he performed well over the first few games of the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading them to a 4-2 record before new Giants QB Russell Wilson returned from injury.
Mougey officially named the 26-year-old Gang Green’s starter on Sunday.
While he has mainly been known for his rushing ability to this point in his pro career -- like Johnson, Glenn feel that this coaching staff has the potential to get more out of him as a passer this season.
