ESPN’s Get Up Says Goodbye to Aaron Rodgers’ Jersey in Emotional Ceremony

The Farewell Ceremony

ESPN’s Get Up stage, a staple of sports mornings in New York City, recently said goodbye to a piece of its decor that held sentimental value. For years, a New York Jets jersey with Aaron Rodgers’ name on the back hung on the wall of the set, symbolizing the excitement and hope tied to Rodgers’ tenure with the team. However, as the NFL world shifts and the Jets prepare to move on from Rodgers in 2025, the jersey’s time on the set came to an end. In a heartfelt ceremony, Get Up co-host Mike Greenberg became emotional as he addressed the decision to retire the jersey, reflecting on the end of an era.

Greenberg, a longtime figure in sports media, admitted he wasn’t ready to process the departure of Rodgers from the Jets. “So one of the things I’ve been asked a lot is, what are we going to do about the jersey?” he said. “We’re gonna have a little ceremony… we’re gonna do a ceremony here. The bottom line is, I’m not ready to process the end of this era yet. We went into this with the highest of hopes and expectations, and I’m not ready to move on.” After his speech, the jersey was ceremoniously covered with a black curtain, signaling its retirement.

The moment struck a chord with fans, who took to social media to share their reactions. Some expressed amusement at Greenberg’s emotional farewell, while others mocked the situation. “Greenberg fighting back tears,” one fan tweeted, while another joked, “It’s okay, Arch Manning’s jersey will be great next year.” Another fan quipped, “How did this become about you?” The lighthearted comments highlighted the mix of humor and nostalgia surrounding the event.

The End of the Rodgers Era in New York

The retirement of Rodgers’ jersey comes as the New York Jets officially announced earlier this month that they would be parting ways with the quarterback in 2025. The decision marks the end of a brief but highly anticipated chapter in Jets history. Rodgers, who joined the team in 2023, brought immense excitement and expectations to New York, but his time with the franchise has come to an unexpected close.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey released a joint statement explaining the decision. “Last week, we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” they said. “It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”

Rodgers’ departure leaves the Jets with a glaring hole at the quarterback position. Currently, the team has only backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor under contract. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, all eyes are on how the Jets will address this critical need. The upcoming NFL Draft in April and the start of free agency in March could provide the answers, but for now, the future of the Jets’ offense remains uncertain.

Reactions to Rodgers’ Departure

The news of Rodgers’ exit has sparked a variety of reactions across the NFL community. Some fans and analysts have expressed disappointment, given the high hopes that surrounded Rodgers’ arrival in New York. Others have criticized the Jets’ handling of the situation, arguing that the team failed to build a strong foundation around the veteran quarterback.

Rodgers himself made headlines recently for a fiery exchange with a reporter, during which he snapped, “What’s the question?” The awkward moment added fuel to the rumors of tension between Rodgers and the Jets organization. While Rodgers has yet to publicly address his departure, his emotions have been on full display in recent interactions with the media.

Meanwhile, the retirement of Rodgers’ jersey on Get Up has become a symbol of the broader sentiment surrounding his departure. For fans whoVMLocalized the jersey as a reminder of what could have been, its retirement feels like the official end of an era.

Implications for the Jets’ Future

The Jets’ decision to move on from Rodgers has significant implications for the team’s future. With no clear starting quarterback on the roster, the franchise is under pressure to address the position in the coming months. The NFL Draft, set to take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, presents an opportunity for the Jets to select a young quarterback to build around. At the same time, free agency could provide a more immediate solution, with several veteran quarterbacks available on the market.

Jets fans will be watching closely as the team navigates this critical offseason. The success of the franchise in 2025 and beyond will depend on how effectively they fill the void left by Rodgers. For now, the retirement of his jersey serves as a bittersweet reminder of unmet expectations and the uncertainty that lies ahead.

Looking Ahead to the 2025 NFL Season

As the NFL world prepares for the 2025 season, fans are eagerly anticipating key dates and milestones. Free agency is set to begin on March 12, followed by the NFL Draft in late April. The regular season will kick off on September 4, though the exact opponent for the Jets’ opener has yet to be confirmed. Thanksgiving football will return on November 27, with a tripleheader of games, and the season will culminate in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

For Jets fans, the journey to Super Bowl LX will likely be filled with ups and downs as the team rebuilds around a new quarterback. While the retirement of Rodgers’ jersey marks the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of a new era for the franchise.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

The retirement of Aaron Rodgers’ jersey on Get Up was more than just a symbolic gesture; it was a poignant reminder of the transient nature of sports. Athletes come and go, teams rise and fall, and fans are left to process the emotions tied to these changes. For Mike Greenberg and the Get Up crew, the ceremony was a way to honor the hope and excitement that Rodgers brought to the Jets, even if the results didn’t meet expectations.

As the NFL world moves forward, Rodgers’ time in New York will be remembered as a brief but memorable chapter. For the Jets, the focus now shifts to the future and the quest to build a team capable of achieving greatness. Whether through the draft, free agency, or another route, the Jets’ next move will have a significant impact on their path to success.

In the meantime, the black curtain over Rodgers’ jersey on Get Up serves as a bittersweet reminder of what could have been—and the promise of what’s yet to come.