There’s no doubt coming into the season that the New York Jets had a lot riding on newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His addition was supposed to signal the start of an all-in effort to win a championship now. The Jets were building their roster around him and his comforts, in hopes of it being enough to finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since Super Bowl III.
The idea of making your new star quarterback happy is not a foreign concept and is something most, if not all, franchises would do in some capacity. However, according to one anonymous AFC general manager, the Jets went above and beyond, and it may have been too much.
Anonymous GM Takes Shot at Aaron Rodgers
In her latest article for the Athletic, Dianna Russini lays out the drama that unfolded within the walls of the Jets’ facility. Part of the issue that took place was the idea that Rodgers was given far too much control and freedom over the franchise and their decisions.
“Rodgers isn’t the assistant GM,” one AFC general manager said. “Joe Douglas is the assistant GM.”
We have seen over the year the addition of players such as Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, and other friendly faces Rodgers has worked with over the years. In doing so, the feeling around the NFL is that the Jets have been at the mercy of Rodgers’ demands to make him happy and successful.
On the surface, it isn’t an absurd strategy. But at what point does it become too much control for a player?
For some around the league, it looks as if the Jets have already blurred that line with Rodgers already being looked at in some circles as the man in charge much more than the ones with the name and title for the role.
Rodgers Looking for Redemption
The 2023 season is a wash. As far as Rodgers and the Jets go, there’s nothing they want to do more than to move past it.
With Rodgers still working through his Achilles injury, all eyes turn to 2024 with the hope that he and the team will be able to do this upcoming season what they planned to do last year.
KEEP READING: NFL Insider Reports Mess Inside Jets Organization
You don’t get many mulligans or do-overs in sports, and while the scars of last season will surely remain, Rodgers and Co. will be operating as if this next year is their shot to make everything they set out to do, happen.
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!
