The New York Jets are hoping that their 2024 season goes much better than their 2023 campaign. The latter started out so promising after after general manager Joe Douglas was able to acquire four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. The Jets also acquired Rodgers’ good friends, wide receivers Allan Lazard and Randall Cobb via free agency.
In theory, the Jets should have had a great season. Indeed, their sights were set on a Super Bowl appearance going into the 2023 season. Unfortunately, that did not come to pass.
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Rodgers tore his Achilles heel just four snaps into his first game in New York, effectively ending his season. Lazard and Cobb woefully underperformed as did just about everyone on the Jets’ roster, including former second overall pick Zach Wilson.
The New York Jets Reset the Quarterback Room Behind Aaron Rodgers
Last season, New York had Wilson and former Packers backup quarterback Tim Boyle behind Rodgers. After the future Hall of Famer got hurt, Wilson started the majority of games, but only completed 60.1% of his passes while throwing eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Boyle started two games and threw more interceptions (four) than touchdown passes (one). He was eventually released and finished the season with the Houston Texans.
The Jets also promoted Trevor Siemian from their practice squad to start three games. However, like Boyle, he threw more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (two) while completing just 56.2% of his passes.
Of the four quarterbacks that played for New York last season, just Rodgers remains. As mentioned, Boyle was released before the 2023 campaign even ended. Siemian is currently a free agent and Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos for a sixth round draft pick.
Also Read: The New York Jets Talked Teams Out of Trading for Zach Wilson
As Rodgers is 40 years old and coming off of a major injury, the Jets decided to sign veteran Tyrone Taylor to be his backup. Additionally, they drafted Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
New York Jets Rookie Jordan Travis Believes He Can Be Aaron Rodgers’ Successor
In 2022, Jordan Travis threw for 3,214 yards while completing 64.0% of his passes. He also had 24 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
He was having another stellar season in 2023 with a 63.9% completion percentage, 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just two interceptions when his left ankle was severely injured late in the season. Florida State still finished the year undefeated, but were kept out of the College Football Playoff due to Travis’ injury.
The Jets have no plans on playing Travis this season and instead will rely on Rodgers and Taylor. However, they do like the long-term potential that Travis has.
Travis himself believes that he has the potential to be the one to take over as the Jets’ starting quarterback when Rodgers retires. He recently told reporters:
“I do think about[taking over for Rodgers] a lot, but right now I’m just focused where my feet are, just getting healthy and getting everybody around me better, being a great teammate.
“I want to learn everything. I want to pick [Rodgers’] brain on everything he does: how he treats his teammates, how he carries himself on the field, off the field. I can’t wait.”
For his part, Rodgers says he plans to play for two, three, or four more years. He is currently under contract with the Jets through the 2025 season.
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