Aug 12, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets helmet during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Entering the 2024 NFL season, Aaron Rodgers is slated to be the New York Jets’ starting quarterback.

But beyond that is anyone’s guess.

While the 4-time NFL MVP remains under contract in New York through the 2025 season, the 40-year-old’s age and recent injury history suggests that he likely won’t be the Jets’ starting quarterback for longer than a few more seasons — if that. That reality hasn’t been lost on Jordan Travis, as New York’s fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft believes he has what it takes to be Rodgers’ long-term successor.

“I do think about that a lot,” Travis told reporters at the Jets’ rookie minicamp, per NFL.com. “But right now I’m just focused where my feet are. Just getting healthy and getting everybody around me better. Being a great teammate.”

In the short term, the 24-year-old Travis is focusing on recovering from his own injury. Once thought to be a candidate to win the Heisman Trophy, the West Palm Beach, Florida, native saw his senior season at Florida State come to a premature end after he suffered a broken left leg in the Seminoles’ matchup against North Alabama on Nov. 18.

Asked by reporters about his recovery time table, Travis didn’t rule out the possibility that he’ll be ready for training camp.

“I feel great. Just focusing on today,” Travis said. “Every day I got rehab I’m just giving my best. I’m just trying to get ready as fast as possible. Obviously, that’s the goal, but obviously I want to be 100 percent too. Yeah, just trying to get 100 percent, getting better every day.”

With Rodgers and veteran Tyrod Taylor ahead of him on the depth chart, there’s no reason for the Jets to rush Travis back. It stands to reason that he’ll see minimal — if any — playing time during his rookie season, but could factor into New York’s quarterback plans as early as 2025.

[NFL.com]

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.