Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets have lost eight of their last nine games, and the team is 1-6 since firing Robert Saleh. At the moment, there are many uncertainties around the franchise, including the future of their starting quarterback.
Rodgers has struggled this season and has failed to raise the standards of the players around him like he usually did. He recently spoke about the Jets’ ownership and was criticized by fans.
Fans React to Aaron Rodgers’ Comments on Jets Owner
Prior to the Week 14 game against the Miami Dolphins, the four-time NFL MVP talked to the media and emphasized the importance of ownership hiring the right people. Rodgers added that owners should back the individuals they brought in while the people outside the organization try to undermine them.
Rodgers was asked by ESPN’s Rich Cimini if he thought the Jets had supported their leaders the way the Lions did as he referenced on McAfee’s show.
“Is that a rhetorical question?” Rodgers said, via The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt. “I cited an example I’ve seen. There were other examples in Green Bay, both for and maybe not as for whoever was in charge. But I think it’s an important part of ownership to hire the right guys, set the vision and support them when the outside world is trying to tear them down.
“I’ll ask [the reporters], has there been a lot of public comments? Supportive comments?”
The reply was no.
“Yea, there’s your answer,” Rodgers responded.
Since the 41-year-old quarterback hasn’t played well, fans thought he was directing the blame instead of taking the responsibility. Here’s how they reacted on X:
It is absolutely insane how much of a cancer this guy is and how much teams are willing to pay him still. https://t.co/HqVG45t2q5
— Big Ben's Burner (@Blitzburghstil1) December 5, 2024
“He can never take the blame for anything,” said one fan.
Another fan wrote, “Pointing fingers at others for his poor play when he refuses accountability? Imagine that. Narcissism and cowardice at work per usual.”
Clearly this man does not know how to look in the mirror and take personal responsibility for anything ever. 🤦♀️🤦♀️
He sees people on the street and says "Hey maybe I can blame that person next!" https://t.co/gLImj5WowY
— SandraLynn (@WaterlilySan) December 5, 2024
“A-Rod loves stirring up problems in organizations,” said a fan.
“Nothing is ever his fault, the owners have got every piece you wanted, and you still suck,” added another fan.
Time to end the Aaron Rodgers era
— Steve Johnson (@Sportsgeek22) December 5, 2024
In 12 games this year, Rodgers has thrown for 2,627 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He is completing 62.5% of his throws with a passer rating of 87.5 — the 87.5 would be his worst (in a full season) since he became a starting quarterback in the NFL.
The Jets finished 7-10 last year with a much worse roster and Zach Wilson as their quarterback. The team was expected to compete for the Super Bowl this year with Rodgers, but unfortunately, the AFC East franchise now aims to draft a new quarterback with a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Will Rodgers Be on the Jets in 2025?
The Jets have already fired Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, both of whom had a good relationship with Rodgers. The franchise’s ownership group, which includes Woody Johnson, has made it clear with these moves that the team is looking for a new start.
When they released Saleh, they openly said that they were looking for a new energy. “This is a new day for the team and it’s a new day that’s welcome,” Johnson said. “And as the team realizes what opportunity this is for them, I think they’re going to go to a level that we haven’t seen in a while.”
Unfortunately, that did not happen, as the team continued to struggle and eventually needed to also move on from the GM.
Since the team will get a new head coach and general manager, the new decision-makers might want to draft their own quarterback instead of building a relationship with Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer still has one year left on his contract, but the Jets could release him and take on the dead cap hit of nearly $49 million.
However, Rodgers has made it somewhat clear that his choice would be to remain with the team. “There will be a conversation at some point,” Rodgers said. “Listen, if they say they want to move on, that’s great, fantastic, you know. But if they say they want me to play, then I’ll consider it.”
He reiterated that staying with the Jets is his first choice. “Yeah, I just re-did my house here in Jersey,” Rodgers said. “My goal was to play a few more years here, but we’ll see.
“I’d like to be healthy, I’d like to end on my feet, and then I’d like to play well and I’d like to feel like I’m wanted back. If not, again I will not be offended, I won’t be upset I’ll be so thankful either way whatever happened here, but I got to be healthy mentally, physically, and then there’s got to be interest on both sides and if that’s not the case then I’ll look at other options.
“But first I’ll think about whether I’d actually want to play or not, but it usually takes a good month to get away from it, which I’ll do the first month, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Nobody knows whether Rodgers will retire or continue to play beyond this season. The former Green Bay Packers star has already played 20 years in the league. But, as his new Netflix documentary suggests, he is an enigma.