Happy trails: Jets officially release QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers was officially released by the New York Jets on Wednesday, and a short queue led by the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants reportedly formed for a chance to sign the 41-year-old quarterback.Jets General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn met with Rodgers in what the first-time GM labeled a meeting of clarity and determined it would be best to move on, before owner Woody Johnson issued a public thank you to the former Packers quarterback.The Steelers are without a starting quarterback in part because the Jets are set to sign Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal. Russell Wilson, who started the final 11 games of the 2024 season and a playoff loss to the Ravens for Pittsburgh, is reportedly drawing interest from the Giants and Browns.The Jets will be charged $14 million for releasing Rodgers on the 2025 salary cap and $35 million in 2026.Rodgers joined the Jets amid much fanfare ahead of the 2023 season but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener. Last season, he rebounded to start all 17 games but the Jets finished only 5-12. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

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