When the New York Jets introduced in Aaron Rodgers through the 2023 offseason, hopes have been sky excessive for the primary time in a very long time within the Massive Apple.
The media hype main as much as the commerce with Inexperienced Bay was as intense as we’d seen in a while. So, watching from the sideline at how the previous two years have performed out, it’s straightforward to know a sure stage of disappointment and anger at the way it’s ending.
Rodgers got here in and bought the whole lot he wished with out hesitation from then-general supervisor Joe Douglas, with proprietor Woody Johnson’s blessing.
The Jets have been greater than keen to provide Rodgers the contract extension that the Packers handed on. They introduced in a few of Rodgers’ favourite teammates from Inexperienced Bay and even picked up his previous offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, off the scrap heap.
New York allowed Rodgers to have his approach in each approach possible. All they’ve bought to indicate for it after two years is 5 wins, one misplaced season resulting from harm and extra Rodgers headlines for off-field engagement the Jets might’ve imagined. Rodgers has had way more publicity (good or dangerous) for what he’s stated within the media, particularly on his buddy, Pat McAfee’s ESPN present.
Whereas Rodgers’s first full season main the Jets onto the sphere hasn’t been as dangerous statistically because it appears, we certainly haven’t seen a lot of the greatness of years previous. Rodgers’ completion share is the bottom in his profession, relationship again to 2008 when he turned the Packers’ full-time beginning quarterback.
He’s additionally averaging the second-fewest yards per sport (234.1) of his profession. In 2022, Rodgers averaged simply 217.4 ypg, which wound up being his final in Inexperienced Bay.
After Rodgers’ closing season in Inexperienced Bay, it was clear that he wasn’t the identical MVP-caliber participant he’d been beforehand. However the Jets simply needed to have him and went to any lengths obligatory to amass the Tremendous Bowl winner and four-time league MVP. Nevertheless, the Jets have been paying for an inferior mannequin.
Then in his first sport with the staff, Rodgers tore his Achilles and the writing ought to have been on the wall then.
On the time Rodgers was 39 years previous with an harm that’s robust for a 24-year-old to get better from. He even teased followers and teammates with discuss of coming again final season though it by no means occurred. For anybody to suppose Rodgers would return in ’24 and abruptly revert to what he was for therefore a few years with Inexperienced Bay was absurd.
And that’s precisely what we’ve seen this season. It must be the tip of an period.
Whether or not Rodgers continues to play is his alternative, but it surely doesn’t have to be in New York. This experiment must be over and the Jets must be trying to transfer on from him without delay following their Week 18 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
Every thing the Jets did to carry Rodgers in, they need to be making an attempt even tougher to maneuver him alongside.
Issues have gotten so dangerous with the Jets that rumors have surfaced about broad receiver Garrett Wilson potentially wanting out if Rodgers returns for 12 months three. It’s time for the Jets to chop their losses with Rodgers as he might solely play yet one more 12 months no matter the place that could be.
Wilson is 24 and has many productive years left in entrance of him. It’s time to place an finish to A-Rod’s reign of terror.
