Aaron Rodgers’ former team-mate Kurt Benkert admitted that he was convinced the quarterback would sign for the Miami Dolphins instead of the New York Jets.

The four-time NFL MVP called time on his 18-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers last year to seek pastures new in the Big Apple, with the Jets parting ways with four draft picks in order to acquire the star.

Despite speculation linking the 41-year-old to the Jets for several months before a move was completed, Benkert – who was Rodgers’ understudy in 2021 – believed the talent on the Dolphins’ squad would have edged Rodgers to choose Miami.

During a 2023 interview with The Spun, the retired Benkert predicted: “Aaron Rodgers is going to end up either a New York Jet or a Miami Dolphin.

“If I had to really guess, I’d say the Miami Dolphins (because they) have the roster to win a Super Bowl, and he could really enjoy some time in the warmth (and) defrost a little bit after all of these years,” he added.

His move to New York hasn’t gone according to plan, with the Jets possessing an abysmal record of 3-9 in Rodgers’ first full season, having missed almost the entirety of his debut campaign with injury.

The former Super Bowl champion went as far as to cast doubt on whether he’ll return to football next year but admitted that should he continue his NFL career, he hopes it’ll be with the Jets.

“I haven’t told anybody in my life, ‘I want to play in 2025 and not in the Jets,'” Rodgers said on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show following reports that Rodgers wants out of New York. “That’s 100% false. I actually said the opposite. I said that I’m going to wait and see what happens at the end of the season and if they want me back.

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers has led the Jets to a dismal 3-9 record so far this season ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in New York. Obviously, we haven’t had the success we’ve all wanted to have but I’ve made some great friendships in the team. I’ve enjoyed living in Jersey, I’ve enjoyed the time in the city, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the fans.

“And I came here to win here so I’m not jumping off ship like, ‘I definitely want to play and not in New York.’ I don’t know if I want to play yet, but New York would be my first option.”

He admitted that at 41 years of age, retirement is creeping and refused to rule out calling time on what has been an illustrious career since his 2005 arrival in the NFL. “When you’re 40 going on 41, you’re at the end of your career,” he said.

“There’s a lot of things, obviously; if it’s New York, they have to want me to be here. If I can stay healthy the rest of the year and play the way I want to play, and everybody feels good about bringing me back, then there’s a decision there. At this point I am open to everything and attached to nothing.”