ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 12: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after defeating the Denver Broncos 31-7 during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Top NY Jets GM option believes most candidates didn’t want Aaron Rodgers back.
Most GM candidates might not have wanted Rodgers back.
The NY Jets interviewed over a dozen candidates for their general manager job this offseason. The team asked prospective GMs to explain their vision and disclose their plans to fix the organization hypothetically if they were hired.
There’s no doubt that the future of Aaron Rodgers was one of the most important talking points in those meetings. It’s unclear what new GM Darren Mougey’s stance on Rodgers is just yet, but we do have the perspective of someone who interviewed for the job.
Longtime Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, a highly-regarded former GM who interviewed for the Jets’ position, spoke to Zach Gelb this week and made it clear where he stands on Rodgers.
Dimitroff insisted that he believes it’s in the best interest of both sides to part ways in the offseason before explaining that he thinks most other candidates who interviewed for the job probably felt the same way.
Thomas Dimitroff said in his interview with the Jets that Woody Johnson wasn’t pushing to trade Aaron Rodgers. @InfSportsNet @WFAN660 pic.twitter.com/0hK1hX3Kt2
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) February 3, 2025
Many GM candidates seem to believe the NY Jets should not bring back Aaron Rodgers
Now to be clear, Dimitroff does not know what other candidates think about the Rodgers situation, but it’s notable that someone as respected and connected as he is believes most prospective GMs in his shoes would not want the four-time MVP back on the Jets in 2025.
Dimitroff elaborated that he believes Rodgers can still play at a “high level” in the NFL and thinks the future Hall of Famer has at least another 1-2 years left in him. He just doesn’t think it makes much sense for the Jets to bring him back.
Rodgers is under contract in 2025 but neither he nor the Jets have made any commitments about his future status. It’s entirely possible Rodgers simply decides to retire this offseason.
I’m Excited to See What’s Out There” – Colts First-Round Pick Could Leave For Chargers Jaguars.
After spending his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts, center Ryan Kelly hinted that he will leave the team in the offseason.
Ryan Kelly Colts
Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly has been a fixture along the offensive line for the past seven years, but the impending free agent sounds anxious to leave in 2025. A first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Kelly played with Andrew Luck early in his career but has endured a constantly rotating quarterback carousel in the years that followed. Snapping the ball to Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Anthony Richardson, and Gardner Minshew over the years, nobody should be surprised if he tries and find a more stable situation as he enters his age-32 season.
Despite the ever-changing quarterback situation, Ryan Kelly established himself as one of the league’s better centers with the Colts, making four Pro Bowls in the past six seasons. While he didn’t rule out a return to Indianapolis, Kelly’s comments make it clear he won’t take a hometown discount.
“Never been a free agent, so I’m excited to see what’s out there,” Kelly said, via Fox59. “My plan is to see what’s out there on the market. Inday can always match it. I’ll miss it, if that’s it. It was a good run for nine years.”
Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Kelly should draw interest across the league. If he’s looking for the best combination of money and quarterback stability, Ryan Kelly could leave the Colts for the Los Angeles Chargers or Jacksonville Jaguars.
Free Agent Ryan Kelly Could Leave Colts For Chargers, Jaguars
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh selected offensive tackle Joe Alt over wide receiver Malik Nabers because he believes games are won and lost in the trenches. Alt combined with veteran Rashawn Slater to create one of the league’s best tackle duos, but the poor state of the Chargers interior offensive line kept them from dominating opponents on the ground. First-round pick Zion Johnson played adequately, but center Bradley Bozeman and right guard Trey Pipkins were active liabilities.
The good news is that both players could leave Los Angeles in 2025. Bozeman is a free agent, while Pipkins is an obvious cut candidate. Harbaugh spoke highly of Bozeman, so perhaps they re-sign him as a versatile backup, but taking Ryan Kelly from the Colts would upgrade one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. Armed with over $63 million in cap space, Los Angeles can easily sign Kelly without impacting their ability to address other key positions.
Rebuilding the Jaguars
Former Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke gave out his fair share of head-scratching contracts over the years, and the Mitch Morse deal was no exception. While he was a solid player in his day, the Bills cut the center after a poor 2023. That didn’t stop the Jaguars from giving him a two-year, $10.5 million deal, as Baalke believed the veteran could bounce back in a new environment.
That didn’t happen, as Morse was one of the league’s worst centers last year. Despite the hefty pay, the former Buffalo Bill finished 2024 with a 57.3 PFF grade, the 32nd-best mark of 40 eligible players. First-year head coach Liam Coen has no ties to Morse, so perhaps he cuts bait with the veteran and brings Ryan Kelly over from the Colts. The Jaguars have their franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, and now they need to protect him.
