Aaron Rodgers has admitted that he looks forward to having a rest at the end of the season before making his decision on his future.
The veteran quarterback, 41, could be cut in the next few days after the New York Jets’ season ends with him then needing to make a decision on his future in the league on whether he wants to play again.
While Rodgers is seemingly accepting that changes might be coming with the Jets, he has spoken openly on where his mindset is heading into what could be the final game of his career.
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Prior to the regular season finale, Rodgers told reporters: “I’m trying to stay in the moment. But of course, it’s been a long career. I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to be a part of, what I’ve been able to accomplish. And I’m also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.”
He added: “This feels a lot like after a rookie year. You go from training and playing a season, then training the entire offseason. You’re ready for the combine, then going to a new team. And so there’s not really any break.
“Until you experience the grind physically, you can’t quite relate. But now that I have, just feeling like you’ve got to just rehab nonstop for a long amount of time kind of wears on you. I need a break mentally. I don’t want to make a decision until I’ve been able to rest mentally and physically. Since Sept. 11 last year, it feels like I’ve been rehabbing and training just to get to be able to play in training camp.
“It’s been an interesting year for sure, a lot of really special things in the last year and a half. A lot of trying times as well. But I’m thankful for the way the guys made me feel welcome when I came in last year, thankful for the fans and the excitement I felt both last year and at times this year, thankful to be healthy. So there are a lot of things to be thankful for even in the midst of a trying season.”
Reports coming from the Jets camp appears to suggest that ownership wants to see the team move on from Rodgers and look for a new long-term quarterback – with the veteran seemingly already understanding that he could be cut for the first time in his career, reportedly even saying his goodbyes if he is to be released in the coming days.
“I’m just resigned to the reality of the situation. There’s going to be change here,” he said. “If I’m a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows I have nothing but gratitude for my time here. It’s been a great experience all around. I’m disappointed about the performance with myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity. If I feel good about coming back and they want to make another run at this, that’d be fantastic. But I’m not naive to the situation we’re in.
“I don’t take it personally. It’s not a weird feeling,” Rodgers said of the questions about what the new Jets will want to do this offseason. “If I want to play and they don’t want me here, the I’ll see if there are other options. But first I’ve got to wrap my head around doing the grind one more time.”
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