Former Jets offensive lineman and current SNY analyst Willie Colon did not hold back in his critique of Aaron Rodgers and the struggling New York Jets following their latest collapse. The Jets squandered a 14-point lead against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, finding yet another way to lose as Rodgers threw a game-changing pick-six to ex-Jet Leonard Williams, ultimately sealing their fate.
Colon, who spent three seasons with the Jets from 2013 to 2015, was blunt in his assessment of Rodgers’ personality and performance, particularly given the high expectations set when the veteran quarterback joined Gang Green.
“That’s who Aaron Rodgers is. That’s who he has always been,” Colon said, referring to Rodgers’ often polarizing personality. Rodgers has developed a reputation for being confident to the point of arrogance, which, according to Colon, was more acceptable when he was consistently performing at an MVP level. “He’s just covered that up because of the way he has played. You can be smug and cocky when you are winning MVPs and you’re balling. You can make every play on the field; you can be smug. The problem is his smugness and his play aren’t matching up.”
Rodgers, a four-time league MVP, has clearly struggled in his first full season with the Jets, a team that now sits at a disappointing 3-9. Despite his accolades, including MVP performances in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Rodgers’ recent play has fallen far short of expectations.
The Achilles injury he suffered at the start of the 2023 season has certainly played a role, affecting the 41-year-old quarterback’s mobility and limiting his effectiveness.
Colon acknowledged that Jets fans have every right to be frustrated. This season has been marked by upheaval, including the firing of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, as well as a string of six consecutive one-possession losses.
For a fanbase long accustomed to disappointment, the current situation is particularly disheartening.
“I’m looking at a running back (Breece Hall) who started the season as a top-five running back. You can’t find him on offense,” Colon said, pointing to the underutilization of the team’s most dynamic players. “I’m looking at a quarterback who will be wearing a gold jacket one day. And he’s the worst in the NFL right now. If you are a Jets fan, burn the whole damn thing up. Burn the whole building up—nothing makes sense. Everything is worse than it was before.”
Colon’s sharp comments came on the heels of Rodgers’ postgame press conference, during which the veteran quarterback seemed to deflect responsibility for the team’s struggles. “Well, there are 11 guys on the field,” Rodgers said. “Sometimes it’s my fault. Definitely multiple times today. And then the details aren’t there in some other spots, too.”
For Colon, Rodgers’ failure to take full accountability was just another point of frustration. The Jets have had several opportunities this season to turn narrow losses into wins, but time and again, Rodgers has come up short in clutch situations.
The Jets’ record could easily be 6-6 if they had managed to secure victories in just a few of those close games.
“So yeah, if you are a Jets fan, you have to be damn pissed off at Aaron Rodgers because when we give you the ball, Aaron Rodgers, in game-winning situations… this is Kobe [Bryant]. This should be an easy W for us. And our defense isn’t horrible,” Colon said, comparing Rodgers to the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was known for his ability to come through in clutch moments. Colon made it clear that Rodgers, with his storied career and championship pedigree, should be leading the team to victory in these critical situations, not faltering.
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Colon also expressed disappointment over the team’s recent personnel moves. “If I’m a Jets fan, I’m pissed off that we fired our head coach, and we ended up 1-5 out of that. We got Davante Adams, and we haven’t seen him take over games like we have seen other elite receivers take over games,” Colon added, referring to the blockbuster trade that brought star wide receiver Davante Adams to New York. Despite Adams’ talent, he has not had the game-changing impact that many had hoped for.
Willie Colon knows what it takes to be part of a winning culture. He spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Jets, playing alongside elite offensive linemen like D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold during his time in New York.
His criticisms come from a place of understanding the high standards required to compete at the highest level, and he is clearly disappointed in what he has seen from the current Jets roster.
For now, the Jets and their fans are left to pick up the pieces of a season that has spiraled out of control. Rodgers, once hailed as the savior who would bring the Jets back to relevance, is instead facing mounting criticism, not just for his performance but for his attitude as well.
With four games remaining in the season, it remains to be seen whether the Jets can salvage anything positive, but one thing is certain—Willie Colon and many others are not impressed with what they have seen so far.
