By all accounts, everything is beautiful between Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. The four-time MVP quarterback has repeatedly called his experience in New York thus far a dream. Despite being unhappy about the team being selected for HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” Rodgers was one of the biggest draws on the show and was a pretty good sport about it.
Ever since his arrival, Rodgers has tried to do things differently in New York than he did during his last few seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Last year, his refusal to work with his rookie wide receivers until training camp did not allow for their chemistry to develop until midseason. He also chose not to spend time with younger teammates outside of the facility.
In New York, Rodgers has gone to hockey games and concerts with his younger teammates. He even has his own secret handshake with reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Sauce Gardner.
But things may not be so great for long, as Frank Schawb of Yahoo Sports reports.
Things Could Get Messy Between Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets
When Rodgers chose the Jets as the team he wanted the Packers to trade him to, he did so because he felt that he had a chance to win a Super Bowl with them. While Green Bay finished 8-9 last year, Rodgers grew accustomed to a high standard and regular season success.
The Jets, though, have not had a winning season in over a decade, and while expectations are high, they have an incredibly difficult schedule. As is the case for every NFL team, there will be low points in their season. Schwab is unsure of how Rodgers and the Jets will handle their first trial:
Everything is great now. Rodgers was a star on “Hard Knocks,” he had a fantastic touchdown pass in his only preseason action after giving an “I love you sign” to the fans and has generally done and said everything right. But let’s look at the Jets’ first four games: vs. the Bills, at the Cowboys, vs. the Patriots and vs. the Chiefs.
What if the Jets start 1-3? It’s possible. Expectations are high, and Rodgers is going from almost two decades in the NFL’s smallest market to New York. Everything is great between Rodgers and New York now. What happens if a losing streak hits?
Rodgers and the Jets certainly have a tough first four games, but it is not like it will get much easier after that either. After their game against Kansas City, they play four of their next six games against the Eagles, Giants, Bills, and Dolphins.
The fact of the matter is that New York has failed to build an offensive line that comes close to being able to protect Rodgers like he was in Green Bay. At 39 years old, he is not nearly as mobile as he used to be.
Additionally, after Garrett Wilson, the Jets next two top wide receivers are Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, Rodgers’ former Packers teammates. Lazard is a solid receiver, but Cobb has not stayed healthy for a full season in years. It won’t be long until the Jets are hurting for weapons in the passing game.
Everything is great between Rodgers and his new team now, but they aren’t going to stay that way for long.
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