MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — When Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon on the fourth play of his New York Jets tenure, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was in a dimly lit office, watching Patriots tape.
“A couple of people came down and told me, and I mean, I’m not gonna lie: You don’t want to ever see that,” McDaniel told reporters here ahead of his team’s Wednesday practice. “I think it’s important for all teams that they’re the best of their ability for the sake of the game and the product that we want to deliver on.”
Mike McDaniels: Miami Dolphins Won’t Overlook Aaron Rodgers-Less Jets
One of McDaniel’s go-to pearls of wisdom is adversity is opportunity.
Sometimes, even another team’s adversity is an opportunity.
The way the Jets responded after Rodgers’ injury was an opportunity to teach his team — and focus the mind.
Mike McDaniel on the Aaron Rodgers injury pic.twitter.com/ughk3eqKCU
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) September 13, 2023
“Someone also did tell me that they won the game,” McDaniel added. “And I think there’s a lot of players and coaches that I know on that team that, you know, all their hopes and dreams as NFL players and the organization wasn’t to hang out with, and play with, one guy.
“And they still have a lot of players,” McDaniel continued. “And I promise you that the Miami Dolphins won’t be a team that overlooks them because of anybody not being there. Granted is one of the greatest players to ever do it. That is supreme adversity, you know, and if I was a betting man, I think that team will find a way. We shall see.”
The Jets won that game 22-16 in overtime, but it took four turnovers and a special-teams touchdown. That’s not sustainable.
They’re going to need Zach Wilson to produce in a way in which he has not as a pro. The Jets’ AFC East and Super Bowl odds came crashing down when it became clear that Rodgers’ season was done — and the Dolphins’ division title odds soared.
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“I don’t know why people are trying to put an obituary to our team name,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.
As McDaniel said, we shall see if those death pronouncements are premature.