FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers was in a reflective mood as he prepares for what could be his last game with the New York Jets.
And of his impressive 20-year NFL career.
“Yeah, of course,” Rodgers said when asked Wednesday if he has considered that the season finale Sunday against Miami could also be it for him. The 41-year-old quarterback insisted, though, he's not ready to make a call on his playing future.
“I just need a break mentally to kind of refresh and put my feet in the sand,” he said. “And see where I’m at after that.”
Still, he very much sounded as though he doesn't necessarily expect to be back with the Jets — even if he does want to continue playing.
“I mean, gratitude, honestly," Rodgers said of his time in New York, repeating that sentiment throughout his 10-minute chat with reporters. "It’s been the best two years of my life."
He called it a “perspective adjustment” that happened for him during his rehabilitation process from a torn Achilles tendon that limited him to just four snaps in his ballyhooed debut for the Jets last season. Rodgers said he fell in love with the game of football again after 18 years in Green Bay and cherishes the relationships he has made with teammates, coaches and others in the Jets organization.
“Obviously wish things would have gone better on the field,” he said. "But nothing but gratitude for this time in my life."
Rodgers came to the Jets in April 2023 in a trade from the Packers and immediately stoked optimism throughout the organization and fanbase that New York could go on a Super Bowl run. Or two. Or even more.
Instead, those dreams quickly dissolved with Rodgers' injury last season. And he has dealt with other injuries during a season that again began with high hopes, but has crumbled into one of the most disappointing in franchise history.
The Jets are 4-12, fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas — and Rodgers has only shown spurts of looking like a four-time MVP. He has also acknowledged that the team could release him after this season.
“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 that I have nothing but gratitude for my time here,” Rodgers said. "It’s been a great experience all around, and again, I’m disappointed about the performance of both myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity.
“If I feel good 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.”
After the 2022 season, Rodgers' future with the Packers was similarly uncertain and the quarterback was leaning toward retiring. He went on a darkness retreat in Oregon, where he spent four days in isolation and then emerged re-energized about playing and decided he wanted to join the Jets.
Rodgers will again take some time to process his thoughts during the offseason.
“Probably darkness again,” Rodgers said of his plans, before smiling. “No, I think I’m done with that. I won’t be doing any darkness retreats this offseason.”
But he will consider whether he truly wants to go through the physical and mental grind of another season. And he doesn't think a decision will drag deep into the offseason.
“March is free agency,” he said. “I don’t think we’re even going to get that far just because there’s going to be a regime change here, at least with the GM. And then whatever they end up doing, I’m sure I’ll either get a call or have a conversation, and go from there.”
Rodgers has one year remaining on his contract with a $2.5 million non-guaranteed base salary. He would also be due a $35 million option bonus before the regular season begins and count $23.5 million against the salary cap. So, that's something the new regime will need to consider.
If Rodgers is cut or retires, the Jets could absorb a $49 million dead money charge next year unless they designate him a June 1 cut and can spread out that charge over two years.
But that's all for down the road in the near future.
The present is all Rodgers is focused on right now — and the one certainty is that he knows he'll take the field at MetLife Stadium for the Jets on Sunday.
“This game has given me a lot,” Rodgers said. “I’ve given a lot back to it and I’m thankful for it. I’m not thinking (and) I won’t be thinking about that come game day. I’ll just be enjoying this. 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 also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers talks with th media following an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, hugs teammate quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Nicole Kidman gave a long-awaited dedication to her late mother Friday night at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
“I feel my momma right now. This is for you, momma,” Kidman said onstage in tears. The Australian actor and producer’s mother died last year shortly after Kidman arrived at the Venice Film Festival to promote “Babygirl."
“I didn’t get to do it at the Venice Film Festival," the actor said. "Thank you for giving me the chance to say this is for my mom. My whole career has been for my mom and dad.”
Kidman's “Scarpetta” co-star and friend Jamie Lee Curtis presented her with the International Star Award during the 36th annual International Film Awards at the festival in Palm Springs, California.
The intimate gala kicked off Hollywood’s whirlwind award season, honoring some of the film industry’s most anticipated award contenders.
Kidman was among notable A-listers including Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña, Isabella Rossellini and Angelina Jolie, who was presented with the Desert Palm Achievement Award-Actress by her godmother, acclaimed actor Jacqueline Bisset.
Jolie, who portrays opera singer Maria Callas in the Netflix biopic “Maria,” is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture.
“I’m all right today because when I walk off of this stage, I am more myself because of you, Zahara, and your brothers and sisters,” the Academy Award-winning actor said to her daughter while reflecting on Callas’ difficult life. Jolie's speech came days after finalizing a divorce settlement with Brad Pitt that reached over eight years.
The night was full of onstage reflection as recipients and presenters gave long, heartfelt speeches at the non-televised event.
Colman Domingo, who was presented with the Spotlight Award by good friend Demi Moore, reflected on art’s impact on him as a child and its power to transform lives. The speech was a nod to his recent film, “Sing Sing,” which tells the story of incarcerated men who find purpose while acting in a theater group.
“I found art when I really needed it to be a parachute to save my life,” Domingo said. “Art saves lives. It saved mine. It will save yours.”
While receiving the Chairman Award, Timothée Chalamet said he feels “clear-sighted” about his career and credits music icon Bob Dylan for indirectly providing him with the perspective he has to work as an actor out of love for the art form.
Chalamet stars as Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” and spent more than five years preparing for his transformation into the folk musician.
“A wise man once said, ‘They can hurt your feelings if they boo you, they can also kill you with kindness.’ I took my anxiety about tonight as a good sign that I’m actually focused on what really matters. The work and the opportunity to do the work again," Chalamet said.
Intermixed with the sentiment, stars also took the time to poke fun at themselves and their peers.
Jennifer Coolidge presented Ariana Grande with the Rising Star award, noting the “Wicked” actor and pop star was already a household name.
“Hasn’t Ariana already risen?” Coolidge said.
Grande, who endearingly almost dropped the heavy award onstage, said she expected to receive “the withering star” award at age 31 and playfully gave thanks to her “good friends Botox and Juvederm.”
Chalamet, who presented director Denis Villeneuve with the Visionary award alongside Amy Adams, reminded the director that he had worked more production days with the director than actor Jake Gyllenhaal.
“Perhaps if I could paint a throughline for Denis' movies is that they just keep getting bigger and better. Apologies to Jake Gyllenhaal once more, who was in the earlier, smaller movies,” Chalamet said.
Kieran Culkin cheekily pointed out he was receiving a Breakthrough Award-Actor for his work in Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” after working in the industry for over 30 years.
“It’s weird to be here, to have been doing this for over 36 years. Perfect time to get my breakthrough award,” Culkin said.
Mikey Madison received the Breakthrough Award-Actress for her work in Sean Baker’s “Anora,” while Adrien Brody received the Desert Palm Achievement Award-Actor.
The ensemble cast from “Conclave” took home the Ensemble Performance Award, with director Edward Berger praising unique performances by each of his actors in the religious drama.
“Emilia Pérez” earned the event's Vanguard Award. Actor Alan Cumming lauded the film and said his immediate reaction was, “What the actual (expletive) is going on here?’ I stayed utterly mesmerized until the credits.”
The stars won’t spend too much time in the California desert before traveling two hours west to Los Angeles in time for the 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
Timothee Chalamet poses with the chairman's award for "A Complete Unknown" in the press room during the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Palm Springs, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jacqueline Bisset, left, and Angelina Jolie, winner of the desert palm achievement award, actress for "Maria", pose in the press room during the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Palm Springs, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Nicole Kidman accepts the international star award for "Babygirl" during the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Palm Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Nicole Kidman accepts the international star award for "Babygirl" during the 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Palm Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
