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New York Jets

“Smug, Cavalier;” Shannon Sharpe Relishes in Aaron Rodgers’ Downfall

Matt LombardoBy Updated:No Comments2 Mins Read
New York Jets Aaron Rodgers
Oct 27, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) exits the field after being defeated by the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers is running out of scapegoats for the New York Jets underachieving and continued struggles amid a five-game losing streak.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Oct 27, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich exits the field after being defeated by the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Despite firing former head coach Robert Saleh, and acquiring Rodgers’ favorite target and former teammate, All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams in a blockbuster trade, a common denominator seems to be emerging when it comes to the Jets’ failing to even approach living up to the lofty expectations the franchise had coming into this season.

Hall of Fame tight end and NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe didn’t hold back in his biting criticism of Rodgers and how the former MVP-winning quarterback has handled this season.

“It couldn’t happen to a more smug, cavalier, condescending guy,” Sharpe said Monday on ESPN. “That’s even low for you. Now, who else are you going to blame it on? You’re running out of people to fire, and demote.

“You fired Robert Saleh, you demoted [Nathaniel] Hackett. What are you going to do, demote the new offensive coordinator? Who else are you going to trade for? Who else are you going to bring in?”

The Jets were expected to compete for the AFC East crown, after Rodgers’ return from a ruptured Achilles tendon that cost him all but four snaps of his 2023 season.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

However, after losing Sunday to the division rival and formerly 1-6 New England Patriots, the Jets find themselves in a tie for last place in the division.

With roughly half of the season already in the books, Rodgers seems more like a divisive force and a mediocre at best quarterback rather than one of the premier players at his position and a catalyst for the Jets to turn the season around.

“Aaron is slow,” Sharpe pointed out. “He’s not what he was.”

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Matt Lombardo is a seasoned NFL reporter, with over 12 years of experience covering the league. In addition to his work at Gridiron Heroics, Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, is an on air sports contributor for FOX29 Philadelphia, and writes an NFL Substack "Between The Hashmarks." Lombardo is the former Senior NFL Insider of FanBuzz, and prior to taking that role was a national NFL reporter at FanSided where he hosted a weekly podcast "The Matt Lombardo Show." A former beat reporter for NJ Advance Media (Parent company of NJ.com and the Newark Star Ledger), Lombardo covered the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011 through the 2017 season before moving to cover the New York Giants for the Star Ledger for two seasons from 2018 through 2020. During his career to date, Lombardo has covered five Super Bowls, four NFL Drafts, multiple NFL Combines, and has had his work frequently featured in publications such as Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, and more. In addition to his journalism work, Lombardo is a strong on air presence and is a former sports talk radio host on 97.5 FM The Fanatic, Philadelphia's first FM Sports Station and the radio home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.

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