Aaron Rodgers' decision looms large as Jets search for a new coach, GM

Aaron Rodgers first walked through the doors of the New York Jets' facility nearly two years ago hailed as a potential savior for a frustrated franchise.

Not much has changed since. Especially all the losing.

Now, one of the game's greatest quarterbacks could leave the Jets just as he found them — with a lonely Super Bowl trophy in their front lobby from their only title (1969) and a playoff drought that has reached an NFL-worst 14 seasons.

"I put my heart into this, and I wanted it really bad — and it didn't work this year," Rodgers said after the Jets' season-ending win over the Dolphins on Sunday left them with a 5-12 record. "We came up short, and I played four plays last year. So, it's overall disappointing."

The 41-year-old quarterback's debut last season after so much preseason hype was cut short by a torn Achilles tendon. He started all 17 games this season, but his play — along with that of most of the team — was up and down, especially while he was dealing with a few other nagging leg injuries.

Owner Woody Johnson and his staff are already deep into their search for a new general manager and head coach after Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh were fired during the season. The new regime will face one major question right off the bat: What to do with Rodgers?

The four-time MVP has one year of nonguaranteed money left on his contract. But he would be due a $35 million option bonus before the regular season begins and count $23.5 million against the salary cap. If Rodgers is cut or retires, the Jets could absorb a $49 million dead money charge next year unless they designate him a post-June 1 cut and can spread out that charge over two years.

Rodgers, the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 regular-season touchdown