The dissolution of the New York Jets’ season will be finest defined by a collection of Aaron Rodgers quotes.
On Sept. 25, just a few days after the Jets beat the Patriots on Thursday night time: “I am going again to this quote so much, however Mike McCarthy stated ‘our greatest battle goes to be dealing with success,’ again in 2016 in Inexperienced Bay, and there’s so much to that … I believe that’s the mark of an incredible staff, simply, are you able to deal with the success half.”
On Oct. 23, just a few days after the Jets’ fourth straight loss: “I imply, yearly presents its personal challenges. Fortunately we’re to not the denouement of this season. There’s nonetheless a number of time left. I believe it’s essential that all of us simply keep as sanguine as potential. It’s an extended season, there’s a number of ups and downs. We’ve had a number of adversity already this season. We simply bought to stay collectively, get one, after which begin to construct off of that.”
On Nov. 17, after a loss to the Colts dropped the Jets to 3-8 and Rodgers was requested if he was “shocked”: “Yeah, I imply, that’s a buzz phrase so I’m not going to the touch that in response to what you simply stated. I’m simply going to echo that I’m upset.”
Rodgers stated variations of the phrase “upset” 4 instances in his newest postgame press convention. If he had used his thesaurus that morning, he may’ve thought of “crestfallen.” Maybe “chagrined.” Or, “dissatisfied.” That may be the phrase to finest describe what the Jets are feeling concerning the play of their 40-year-old quarterback, the person that was speculated to carry this group to the promised land.
The Jets went all-in on Rodgers, bringing alongside a few of his closest associates — huge receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. It merely hasn’t labored out. In current weeks Rodgers has performed like a 40-year-old, seeming extra involved with avoiding getting hit by move rushers than taking pictures down the sphere. Over the past two weeks, Rodgers has solely tried six passes touring 10 or extra yards within the air, and solely accomplished one in every of them. He hasn’t thrown for 300 yards in a recreation since 2021; he’s averaging 211 passing yards within the 5 video games because the Jets traded for Adams. For the season, he ranks twenty sixth in EPA per try, and thirty first in common air yards per try (6.7).
Rodgers’ explanations for his reticence to throw it deep have ranged from the offensive line needing to carry blocks for longer to, final week, the Colts protection deploying two-high protection and forcing him into dump-offs and quick throws.
“I simply suppose he’s traditionally among the best so far as defending the ball and never placing the ball in jeopardy, so I believe a number of it’s that,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich stated. “For the staff, he by no means needs to place the ball in danger, he by no means needs to present interceptions, and he’s carried out that his complete profession and I believe that’s a giant a part of it.”
The truth — even when nobody within the Jets constructing needs to confess it — is that Rodgers’ type of play has made the offense far much less explosive, counting on gamers like Adams, Garrett Wilson and Breece Corridor to show quick throws into large performs. In different phrases, the Jets are losing away what seems like a proficient group of skill-position gamers on paper, aided by the very best offensive line of the Joe Douglas period. It’s led to an inevitability: Rodgers may not be their most suitable choice at quarterback for 2025.
At this level, Rodgers seemingly received’t wish to return to this example anyway, with proprietor Woody Johnson cleansing home, firing Douglas, and sure transferring on from Ulbrich and Hackett, Rodgers’ shut good friend. Johnson — who prompt benching Rodgers after a Week 4 loss to the Broncos, in accordance with sources — isn’t anticipated to need Rodgers again in 2025 anyway, although actually issues can change if Rodgers’ play improves over the ultimate six weeks of the season.
For the reason that 2024 season may as effectively be over, let’s have a look at two completely different quarterback paths for 2025: “Aaron Rodgers stays,” and “Aaron Rodgers goes.”
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Aaron Rodgers stays
What would it not take for Rodgers to return because the Jets’ quarterback in 2025?
Begin right here: As unhealthy because it seems proper now, statistically Rodgers remains to be on observe for one of many higher quarterback seasons in franchise historical past. That’s not saying a lot contemplating the Jets’ historical past on the place — and Rodgers’ numbers are inflated because the Jets have been passing the ball so much — however it’s notable nonetheless. His present tempo (if he performs all 17 video games): 3,774 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions.
If somebody had stated earlier than the season these can be his stats, you’d suppose the Jets had been within the playoff hunt. They aren’t, after all, however in the event you take away the circus, Rodgers remains to be a starting-caliber NFL quarterback, simply not the type of starter who can put a staff on his again anymore.
Rodgers’ potential return relies on 4 elements:
• The subsequent common supervisor: Is he open to conserving Rodgers?
• The subsequent head coach: Will he be open to working with a 41-year-old Rodgers?
• Rodgers’ relationship with the subsequent play-caller: Is the quarterback prepared to compromise on his insistence that he have full management of the offense?
• The subsequent quarterback: Is Rodgers prepared to mentor a younger QB understanding that — turning 42 in December of subsequent season and enjoying for a staff that received’t harbor Tremendous Bowl aspirations — he’s basically a bridge quarterback?
As for the primary two factors: The Jets may not be interesting to a big section of GM or head coach candidates if the expectation is that they need to preserve Rodgers.
There aren’t many potential head coaches with previous ties to Rodgers. There’s present Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who the Jets aren’t anticipated to pursue if/when he’s fired. Rodgers spent just a few years with Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, although Stenavich has by no means referred to as performs and doesn’t appear to be a high candidate for this hiring cycle. Rodgers loves Ulbrich, however Ulbrich is 1-5 and overseeing one of many worst defenses in soccer since taking up because the interim head coach. Rodgers is thought to respect Mike Vrabel, however Vrabel will seemingly have his decide of jobs and may not wish to inherit an getting old quarterback.
So if Rodgers needs to play for the Jets — or, actually, wherever in 2025 — he’s most likely going to have to regulate his expectations for what a coach-quarterback marriage ought to appear to be.
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Aaron Rodgers goes
There’s not a lot concern financially if the Jets resolve to maneuver on from Rodgers. He has no assured cash remaining after this season. If the Jets had been to chop or commerce him, or if he retires, there can be a big dead-cap cost ($49 million), whether or not they incur all of it in 2025 or unfold it out over 2025 and ’26 by chopping Rodgers with a post-June 1 designation.
What are their choices to exchange him?
Tyrod Taylor remains to be below contract for an additional 12 months at a $6.8 million cap hit, and Taylor will nearly actually be again in 2025 since most of his wage is assured. There are worse choices to place ahead as a possible bridge quarterback, and Taylor isn’t any stranger to that position — he’s carried out it previously for Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert.
Jordan Travis is on the roster too, however the 2024 fifth-round decide hasn’t practiced since late final 12 months at Florida State when he broke his leg. The Jets have given no indication that he’s any nearer to returning; then-head coach Robert Saleh stated throughout coaching camp that Travis’s restoration was taking longer than anticipated. Except the Jets get a have a look at him sooner or later this season (which appears unlikely) he’s finest considered as a lottery ticket and somebody to contemplate as an possibility past 2025.
This free company class isn’t particularly thrilling: Sam Darnold is a high possibility, and that’s not taking place. There are veteran backups with beginning expertise, like Jacoby Brissett, Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo, none of whom would essentially be an improve over Taylor. Russell Wilson turns 36 subsequent week and is on the decline, although if he continues to play effectively for Pittsburgh the Steelers will seemingly discover a strategy to preserve him. Justin Fields is an possibility however his ceiling as a thrower is capped. Daniel Jones will seemingly be obtainable too.
As for the rookie class, the Jets are presently projected to select seventh by Tankathon, clumped in a gaggle of 9 groups with two or three wins. It’s not thought of an incredible quarterback class both. Primarily based on Dane Brugler’s newest rankings, potential choices within the first spherical (both within the High 10 or through commerce again) embody Miami’s Cam Ward, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Within the second spherical: Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Penn State’s Drew Allar are among the many choices.
Rodgers can change the narrative if he performs effectively over the ultimate six video games and the Jets win some video games, although because it stands now I anticipate them to have a brand new beginning quarterback in 2025: Taylor and/or a rookie.
(Picture: Al Bello / Getty Photos)
