We are beginning to learn more about the disastrous season that has plagued the New York Jets, and the revelations are anything but promising. On Saturday, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini published a scathing report that shed light on the growing turmoil within the Jets organization, revealing that team owner Woody Johnson had soured on quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the season progressed.
According to Russini, Johnson even considered ordering the benching of Rodgers earlier in the season, following the team’s disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos.
“After a September loss to the Denver Broncos dropped the team to 2-2, a frustrated Johnson called a meeting with high-ranking team officials and coaches, during which he suggested benching four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Unsurprisingly, those in the room were stunned. Johnson ultimately walked back the suggestion, but the damage was done—tensions had surfaced, and doubts about Rodgers’ effectiveness were clearly present.”
The reported suggestion to bench Rodgers took many by surprise, especially considering his illustrious career and his reputation as one of the league’s most accomplished quarterbacks. However, Rodgers’ performance this season has been far from the standard expected of a former MVP, and the team’s record reflects the struggles both on and off the field.
Adding to the controversy, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport released his own explosive report that offered further insight into the troubles between Rodgers and the Jets. Rapoport claimed that Rodgers had resisted getting medical scans throughout the season due to fears that revealing the extent of his injuries might lead to his benching.
“[Rodgers has] been banged up this season, fighting hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries while being off and on the injury report. How injured is he? It’s unclear.” Rapoport reported that the main reason for this uncertainty is Rodgers’ refusal to undergo full medical evaluations. “One source explained that Rodgers has resisted getting scans done,” Rapoport continued. “Not wanting to reveal the severity of his injuries out of fear of having to come off the field. He has insisted that he keep playing.”
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The reports paint a troubling picture of Rodgers’ time with the Jets, marked by secrecy, distrust, and an unwillingness to prioritize health over playing time. Rodgers’ reluctance to undergo scans appears to have added to the growing friction within the organization, with some questioning his decision-making and commitment to the team’s long-term success.
For the Jets, this season has been nothing short of chaotic. What was meant to be a promising campaign featuring a future Hall-of-Famer at quarterback has turned into a nightmare, marred by injuries, inconsistent performances, and internal strife.
After investing heavily in Rodgers, the Jets had high hopes of making a deep postseason run, but as things stand now, the relationship between Rodgers and the Jets appears to be headed for an inevitable and messy split.
With the team struggling to stay competitive, the decision to stick with Rodgers has only added fuel to the fire. Johnson’s frustration, combined with Rodgers’ apparent unwillingness to fully disclose his injuries, has resulted in an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The question now is whether the Jets can salvage anything from this tumultuous season or if they are destined for a total reset.
It remains to be seen how things will play out in the coming weeks, but as of now, it appears that Rodgers and the Jets are on a collision course toward a bitter breakup.
Whether it involves Rodgers finally accepting the need to heal properly or the Jets deciding to look elsewhere for answers at the quarterback position, one thing is clear: the situation in New York is far from stable, and big changes could be on the horizon.
