When Aaron Rodgers signed with the New York Jets during the 2023 offseason, many pundits believed it was a move that would help the Jets jump to the top of the AFC East.

That couldn’t have been farther from the truth, as the Jets floundered over the last two years, finishing in a distant third place in 2023 at 7-10 and even worse in 2024 at 5-12.

Of course, the first year wasn’t Rodgers fault by any means.  In his first series as a New York Jet against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the 2023 season, Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon that ended his season.

2024 was a disaster for New York even with Rodgers back. However, the Jets still managed to give the Dolphins all they could handle in both regular season matchups.  The Dolphins rallied and escaped in overtime 32-26 in their first matchup before falling 32-20 in the regular season finale to end their season at 8-9 and out of the playoffs.

For Dolphins fans wondering if that would be the last time they’d see their team face off against the future Hall of Famer, that question was answered on Thursday.  Multiple outlets confirmed that Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers reached an agreement for the ex-Packer and Jet to take over as their starting quarterback for 2025.

That addition matters for the Dolphins on a couple of fronts.  First, the most direct one is that, barring injury, the Dolphins’ defense will face off with Rodgers again this season.  Miami and Pittsburgh are scheduled to play on December 15 in Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football.

It also means that the Dolphins could have another competitor for a potential Wild Card spot down the stretch.  Pittsburgh qualified for the playoffs last year, earning the 6 seed in the AFC, bowing out to the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 in the Wild Card round. Now, they could be even more potent in 2025 with Rodgers and former Seattle WR DK Metcalf on the roster.

The AFC was already a murderer’s row, and another perennial playoff team just got a little bit better on Thursday.  Just another obstacle that Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa, and the rest of the aqua and orange will have to overcome to return to the postseason in 2025.