The New York Jets have experienced a season full of frustrations and problems, and a recent report has revealed even more surprising situations within the organization. The arrival of Aaron Rodgers in the 2023 season was expected to be the key to making the Jets serious contenders.
With a solid defense but a weak quarterback position in recent years, the Jets made a bold move by acquiring Rodgers, one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history.
Aaron Rodgers gets an extremely cold shoulder from Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans after Jets victory
However, the experiment has not gone as expected. Rodgers played only a few snaps before suffering a serious Achilles injury, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Rodgers’ injury continues to wreak havoc on the Jets
Although Rodgers‘ injury was a devastating blow to the team, the The Athletic report has shed more light on the internal tensions affecting the Jets. According to the report, after a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in September,
Jets owner Woody Johnson was so frustrated with Rodgers‘ performance that he considered the possibility of benching him. The team, which had a 2-2 record at the time, had started to show signs of trouble, and Johnson felt that Rodgers‘ performance was hindering the team’s progress.
Despite his performance, Rodgers still has the support
However, Johnson’s suggestion to bench Rodgers in favor of backup Tyrod Taylor was rejected by the coaches and general manager Joe Douglas. The coaches and Douglas were shocked by the proposal and convinced Johnson not to make such a hasty decision.
They believed that benching Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, so early in the season could have negative consequences in the locker room and on team morale.
The idea of replacing Rodgers seemed so absurd that one of the coaches asked if the owner was serious, and several people in the meeting believed Johnson was genuinely considering the option.
The situation with the Jets has worsened, and with a 3-8 record, the team has lost all hope of making the playoffs. Internal dysfunction has reached critical levels, and both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglaswere fired.
This season has been one of the most disappointing in the franchise’s recent history, and the tension between management, coaches, and the locker room continues to grow.
While Rodgers‘ injury was a decisive factor, the decisions and expectations within the organization also seem to have contributed to the Jets‘ downfall.