Aaron Rodgers came to the New York Jets with high expectations. Unfortunately, the move didn’t work out as he had planned, and now the quarterback could part ways with the franchise in the upcoming offseason.
Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury on his Jets debut in 2023, and in his second season, the team finished with a record of 5-12. However, the quarterback has positively impacted the rest of the team during his tenure, and Jets All-Pro LB Quincy Williams recently confirmed it.
Quincy Williams Discusses Aaron Rodgers’ Impact on Jets
Williams recently spoke to Mike Florio and Chris Simms about his relationship with Rodgers. The star linebacker mentioned the four-time NFL MVP’s positive impact on the rest of the team and how, due to his experience, most players are always eager to ask him about things.
Quincy Williams says Aaron Rodgers has been raising his teammates’ game. pic.twitter.com/dx794Ik7Cr
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) February 4, 2025
“Oh, it’s amazing from the first day he came in,” Williams said. “I can tell one story that wraps up my whole career, not my whole career, but started my career with him. The first day, he did, after the practice, like, ‘Q, let me talk to you.’ This is a Hall of Fame quarterback talking to me.”
He continued, “So, I’m like, ‘All right, I’m listening, what you got, what you got to tell me.’ He was, like, ‘The reason why I threw that ball is because when we played against you, and also today, you did this right here.’ So, now I’m learning from him.”
“Like, all right, if Aaron sees that, and I can trick Aaron, I can trick any other quarterback,” Williams added. “So, it’s, like, one of those things where it’s an open-ended thing. Anybody, I’m talking about special teams, offense, defense, they got questions about him because he’s seen a lot of ball, bro. So, it was one of those things. He’s open-minded, talking about the conversation and all that. He’s a nice guy.”
Rodgers has had a great relationship with almost every player on the team, and it was evident from the beginning with how he attended various events with Sauce Gardner. He might not play for the Jets beyond this season, but his teammates will always cherish their time with the future Hall of Famer as he has helped them become better players.
Hopefully, the Jets players will utilize their experience with Rodgers and help the team to a successful season under new head coach Aaron Glenn.
Williams Will Benefit From Aaron Glenn Becoming New Jets HC
Williams was an All-Pro last season, but since the Jets’ defense regressed after the franchise fired Robert Saleh, he was not recognized with any accolades. The 28-year-old linebacker finished the season with 116 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, four passes defended, and four forced fumbles in 17 games.
The Jets’ defense has many great players, yet the team gave up an average of 23.8 points per game. If the defense had played slightly better, Rodgers could have led the AFC East franchise to the playoffs, as the Jets’ decision to fire Saleh after Week 5 completely backfired on the team.
Williams and his teammates will benefit greatly from their new head coach, Glenn. Glenn, the former defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, is well-respected around the league and has always brought out the best in his players.
With Rodgers’ future uncertain, the Jets’ offense might continue to struggle. However, the defense should see some improvement under Glenn’s watch, as players like Williams, his brother Quinnen, Gardner, and Will McDonald IV will be difference-makers.
If the Jets’ defense gets back to the level that it was under Saleh, the team could compete for the playoffs even with Rodgers under center. So, it will be interesting to see what the franchise does with the 41-year-old quarterback, as he still has one year left on his deal.
