The New York Jets have been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024 NFL season. Despite high hopes after trading for All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams and making several key moves, the Jets find themselves at 3-9, having fired their head coach midseason. Now, it appears all signs are pointing towards the team moving on from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
Rodgers, in his 20th NFL campaign, has struggled throughout his first full season with the Jets. He returned this year after suffering an Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely, but his comeback has been far from the storybook return many anticipated.
The once-prolific quarterback has found it challenging to regain his form, and his performance has failed to meet expectations, contributing to the Jets’ disappointing record.
Meanwhile, Rodgers’ former team, the Green Bay Packers, has thrived in his absence. Jordan Love, Rodgers’ successor, has emerged as one of the league’s most promising young players, leading the Packers to a successful season. Head coach Matt LaFleur, who was once overshadowed by Rodgers, has proven his coaching prowess by getting the most out of his roster, keeping the Packers competitive without their former star.
Super Bowl champion offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth had strong words of praise for LaFleur while taking a veiled shot at Rodgers ahead of Thursday’s matchup between the Packers and the Detroit Lions. Whitworth, now a commentator, highlighted the differences between LaFleur’s success and the struggles faced by Rodgers and his former coaching staff.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were asking, ‘Who is Matt LaFleur without Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay?'” Whitworth said. “Well, since then, we’ve seen Luke Getsy fired twice, Nathaniel Hackett fail twice, and Aaron Rodgers win just four games in two years as a Jet. Meanwhile, Matt LaFleur, at worst, has put up nine wins in each of the last two seasons and has even won a playoff game. I think it’s safe to say we know exactly who Matt LaFleur is—a hell of a football coach.”
Whitworth’s comments come amid growing criticism of Rodgers’ performance in New York. The quarterback’s struggles have had a ripple effect on the entire organization. The Jets fired both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas earlier this season, signaling a major overhaul after failing to live up to lofty expectations.
Even Rodgers acknowledged earlier in the year that significant changes were likely if the team didn’t find success, and it now seems that he could be the next one to go.
Rodgers has expressed his preference to return to the Jets next season if he chooses to continue playing, but it appears that the organization may not share the same sentiment. With the current state of the team, the Jets seem ready to move on from Rodgers, aiming for a complete rebuild.
This would involve bringing in a new general manager, a new head coach, and possibly investing in a young, more adaptable franchise quarterback who could lead the team in the coming years.
On the other side, the Green Bay Packers, despite losing a close game to the Lions on Thursday night, appear to be in a much better place compared to the Jets.
Under LaFleur’s guidance, the Packers have remained competitive and resilient, showcasing the depth and talent of the team, even without Rodgers at the helm. Jordan Love has stepped up admirably, and the Packers’ culture seems stronger, focused on growth and cohesion.
For the Jets, the hopes that Aaron Rodgers could be the final piece to push them into contention have unfortunately not materialized.
The trade for Davante Adams and the decision to bring in Rodgers was meant to signal a win-now approach, but instead, the moves have left the team in a state of flux. Now, the Jets must consider embracing a new path forward, one that likely involves building from the ground up and finding a new identity under fresh leadership.
As the season winds down, it’s becoming evident that the contrast between the Packers’ progress and the Jets’ turmoil underscores just how difficult it is to achieve success in the NFL, even with big-name talent.
Rodgers’ tenure with the Jets may soon come to an end, and with it, the team will face a pivotal offseason where critical decisions must be made for the future direction of the franchise.
