In the NFL, just one play can change everything. Such is the case for the 2023 New York Jets. What was supposed to be a season of triumph and potential greatness, turned into shock and despair after just four offensive plays. Prized offseason addition Aaron Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon, and the rest from there felt like a downward spiral.
As bad as it looked on the field, things may have been even worse internally, according to the latest report from an NFL insider. In a year of turmoil and struggles, there may have been bigger problems than just their QB being lost for the season in the Big Apple.
NFL Insider Reports Drama Inside Jets Organization
In the latest article written by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, she talks about the dysfunction and the apparent lack of adjustments made by the coaching staff and the uncomfortable situations that unfolded during the Zach Wilson saga that unfolded during the year.
While the feeling in New York was that they had a championship-level defense, there was a feeling of an unwillingness to change or adjust on the offensive side of the ball when Rodgers went down.
The feeling according to Russini was that the offensive staff, specifically OC Nathaniel Hackett did not put the team in the best position to win. As a result, the season was all for nothing.
“It’s just such a f—ing mess,” one Jets coach said. “Something has to change.”
These quotes and conclusions reportedly came after The Athletic spoke to 30 sources in and around the organization.
To add to the mess, Russini reports what many have speculated to be true — that Hackett was brought to the organization to appease the veteran QB. It was one of many moves that the Jets made to make Rodgers comfortable as he joined the franchise.
While it isn’t out of the ordinary to accommodate your star quarterback, some felt that the Jets went above and beyond to do so, to the point where it was excessive.
“Rodgers isn’t the assistant GM,” one AFC general manager said. “Joe Douglas is the assistant GM.”
Robert Saleh Unhappy With Leaker
Beyond the on-field play, there was much turmoil regarding Rodgers and staff inside of the building that had head coach Robert Saleh looking for answers.
She reports that when Wilson was benched ahead of Week 12, he knew his Jets career was over. And according to multiple team sources, Saleh told him he would be inactive for the rest of the season and that the team would try to trade him in the offseason.
However, leading up to the Falcons’ game, following the Dolphins’ loss on Black Friday, Saleh reversed course and told Wilson to begin preparing to play once again. It was then that Wilson expressed reluctance about playing and said he would politely decline if asked, based on their previous conversation and fears of getting injured behind the Jets’ makeshift offensive line.
The reporting of this information to the media was a problem for Rodgers and Saleh. Both made their feelings known on the matter — publicly and privately.
“That’s a problem with the organization,” Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show. “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 … and this isn’t the only time. There’s been a bunch of other leaks.”
From there, Saleh would hold a staff meeting mere days later where he asked the leaker to come forward and admit that he leaked the information. “If you come forward now, you won’t get in trouble,” was his bizarre request.
MORE: New York Jets 2024 Mock Draft
It was a year to forget for the Jets on the field, and as far as off the field goes, it may have been even worse. The Jets head into 2024 with many of the same plans in place as they try and do it over right this time. But the past can’t be forgotten and will make for an interesting future dynamic for all parties involved.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
