The New York Jets are a mess once again.
Ahead of the 2023 campaign, they finally looked like a team that could truly contend in the AFC East with a stifling defense and the former Green Bay Packers’ QB leading an offense loaded with talent.
But then Aaron Rodgers went down Week 1 and the entire course of the season changed.
The Jets have lost five straight and have yet to find a capable answer at quarterback. Last week they started Tim Boyle, but cut him on Tuesday.
So the logical option is to go back to Zach Wilson, who the team benched in the first place for Boyle to take over as the starter.
The Athletic, citing sources, reported Monday morning that the team is leaning toward re-inserting Wilson as New York’s starting quarterback, but that Wilson, the Utah native who starred at BYU before becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, is “reluctant” to step into the starter role again.
The reason for Wilson’s apprehension for resuming as the team’s starter is a perceived injury risk, according to The Athletic, which also reported that Rodgers reached out to Wilson “in an effort to advise him to resume the starter role.”
In 10 games this season, Wilson has completed 59.2% of his passes for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions.
New York Jets QB Aaron Rogers Shreds Leaked Zach Wilson Report
On his Tuesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers shredded the leaked report about Wilson.
“When you use sources and whether intentional or unintentional try to assassinate someone’s character like that report does for Zach, I have a real hard time with that,” Rodgers said. “You’re basically saying that this kid is quitting on the team and doesn’t want to play and is giving the middle finger to the organization.”
Rodgers had an issue both with the reporting and with whoever leaked the information.
“What is your impetus, what is your motivation to try and bury someone like that?” Rodgers said. “And that’s a problem with the organization. You know, we need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it privately, because there’s no place in a winning culture where — and this is not the only time. There’s been a bunch of other leaks.”
This is a major indictment of the Jets organization coming from Aaron Rodgers, who many consider is one of the top NFL quarterbacks of all time.
“I think it’s chickenshit at its core, and I think it has no place in a winning organization,” Rodgers added.
Who Will Start At QB For The New York Jets On Sunday?
At this point, it’s anyone’s guess who will be named the starting signal caller as the Jets battle the Houston Texans on Sunday.
It’s unclear whether Rypien or Wilson or Trevor Siemian will take the game’s first snaps under center.
In two games this season, Boyle completed 48 of 77 passes for 380 yards. He has one touchdown pass and four interceptions. He’s averaging a paltry 4.7 yards per attempt, and his passer rating is only 56.2.
Mike Florio, of Pro Football Talk, believes there could be more behind the sudden release of Boyle, who he claims is close with Rodgers.
“The move has separate symbolic meaning, given that Boyle was/is a friend and former teammate of Aaron Rodgers,” Florio wrote on Tuesday. “Although it makes sense for the Jets to re-load the cannon for 2024, it makes no reason for the Jets to sign whoever Rodgers wants them to sign, given the performances of players like Boyle and receiver Allen Lazard this year.”
Rodgers has expressed plenty of interest in staying in New York next season, but one thing has remained the same.
The Jets are a mess yet again.