When the New York Jets traded for four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers ahead of the 2023 NFL season, they believed that they were adding the missing piece that would eventually lead them back to the postseason and, perhaps, a Super Bowl.
Of course, that did not end up happening. Rodgers tore his Achilles early in Week One of the 2023 season and missed the entire year. Instead of going to the NFL Playoffs, New York finished 7-10 for the second year in a row.
And despite getting Rodgers healthy and back in 2024, last season was even worse.
Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets Imploded in 2024
As was the case in 2023, the Jets entered training camp of 2024 with high expectations. However, it did not take long for there to be signs that it was going to be a bumpy season. Rodgers clashed with wide receiver Garrett Wilson during the offseason programs, and the relationship never really improved.
Throughout the course of the year, Rodgers and the Jets made headlines for their dysfunction. Head coach Robert Saleh was fired after Week Five (when New York was 2-3), and general manager Joe Douglas was fired a couple of months later (even though he was in the final year of his contract).
A mid-season trade for Davante Adams did not provide the offensive spark the Jets hoped, and New York finished the year 5-12.
Through it all, Rodgers was far from being the calming presence that a team leader should be. Instead, he was a polarizing figure that had lost the confidence of owner Woody Johnson (who wanted him benched). Furthermore, his weekly appearances on the Pat McAfee Show did little to improve his or the team’s image.
After Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey were hired as head coach and general manager, respectively, the team made the decision to move on from Rodgers.
New York Jets Quarterback Justin Fields Is Ready to Lead the Team Forward
To replace Rodgers, the Jets signed former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. While already having been declared the starter, Fields is not taking anything for granted.
Per a report by Rich Cimini of ESPN, Fields said, “Coach [Mike] Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team, and I’m never going to go against that,” Fields said of being benched by the Steelers last year despite a strong performance in their first six games. “I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever, so I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.
“You can’t take things personal. That’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, not to take anything personal. At the end of the day, I was just excited of what the Jets had going on here with AG [Aaron Glenn] and just with the coaching staff, so [leaving] didn’t really have anything to do with Pittsburgh.”
That is certainly the opposite of Rodgers, who is known to take team decisions incredibly personal. While no one can deny the fact that the future Pro Football Hall of Famer is a great teammate, it is going to be refreshing for the Jets to have a quarterback who has a bit of humility in him.
More New York Jets News from Gridiron Heroics
- “It’s a Process;” Jets HC Aaron Glenn Gets Honest about Playoffs and Super Bowl Chances
- “Not a Lot of People They Talk to;” Aaron Rodgers and Bill Belichick Share Many Similarities
- “The Vikings Are Out;” Aaron Rodgers’ Future Gets Massive Update from NFL Insider
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