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Jets’ Offense: Aaron Rodgers Cannot Evade Responsibility

The Jets' offense falls on Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh, but Aaron Rodgers' injury doesn't erase his role in creating this mess either.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Accountability is something that scares a lot of people. It’s never an easy conversation to have because we seldom wish to hold ourselves responsible for our actions. To say the New York Jets offense has been a disaster this season would be an understatement. Fans are rightfully holding both Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas‘ feet to the fire for their part in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense. But whether fair or not, it’s time to recognize another problem: Aaron Rodgers. The Achilles tear he suffered is unfortunate but to think Aaron Rodgers can evade responsibility for the state of the Jet’s offense is just naive. Be it the hiring of Nathaniel Hackett, the use of roster spots specifically for his former teammates, and his constant appearances on ESPN being Pat McAfee’s sidekick, it just leaves a bad taste during what was supposed to be a hopeful season.

Jets’ Offense: Aaron Rodgers Cannot Evade Responsibility

Aaron Rodgers has had a remarkable career as a Green Bay Packer. Considered one of the top quarterbacks of the 21st century, Aaron had built a great legacy on the field. 475 touchdown passes and 59,055 passing yards in nearly 20 years in the league. He made five All-Pro appearances and four MVPs to his credit. The quarterback led Green Bay to its fourth Super Bowl in franchise history during the 2010 season. After a tumultuous end to his Packers’ career came with missing the playoffs in 2022, Rodgers and Green Bay both acknowledged it’s time to move on. Enter the New York Jets. Despite a disappointing ending, the 2022 Jets had a remarkable defense. A dominant defensive line led by Quinnen Williams. Rookie sensations Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall entrenching themselves as the future. Year-to-year improvement under Robert Saleh, they were a team on the rise.

So, Joe Douglas felt it was necessary to provide this young team with a veteran quarterback under center. When Aaron Rodgers announced he intended to play for the Jets on Pat McAfee, it was a matter of when he’d be a Jet, not if. This led to the team acquiring the future Hall of Fame quarterback via trade on April 24th. The fan base rejoiced at the thought of this hall of famer willing to come to New York exactly 15 years after Brett Favre came when Aaron replaced the former in Green Bay. Fans saw a preview of the potential of this team on Hard Knocks. Aaron’s touchdown to Garrett Wilson against the Giants had fans grinning from ear to ear.

Nathaniel Hackett’s offense

But it wasn’t meant to be. When Aaron Rodgers’ went down on week one, the collective heartbeat of the fanbase faded. When the news came out it was a torn Achilles, it truly was the worst-case scenario. Despite winning on week one, fans dreaded the idea of watching Zach Wilson and the backup quarterbacks play in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense without Aaron Rodgers. Denver Broncos fans could see the disaster from a mile away. After witnessing the downfall of the Broncos in Russell Wilson’s first season in Denver, Jets fans realized the hesitation within the fan base of his hire. Hackett was the offensive coordinator for Aaron Rodgers’s last two MVP seasons. The thing Jets fans failed to realize is they were missing a big component; Davante Adams at wide receiver.

Of the 85 touchdown passes thrown by Aaron Rodgers between 2020 and 2021, 25 of those went to Davante Adams. Once Adams was traded to Las Vegas, Aaron Rodgers saw a steep decline in production. He completed less than 65% of his passes, threw under 4,000 yards for the first time in four years, and eleven fewer touchdowns for the season without Adams. To say Davante Adams was vital for Rodgers’ MVP campaign is an understatement.

Former teammates have been disappointed

The writing was on the wall for the eventual Aaron Rodgers trade when the team hired Hackett. Joe Douglas rightfully wanted to put pieces within the offense familiar with Hackett and Rodgers. One of the first big moves of the off-season was to sign veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard spent each of his five seasons in the league playing in Green Bay and was coming off a career-high in receiving yards at 788. His season hasn’t lived up to the hype either. Lazard has only accounted for 311 yards on 23 catches with only one touchdown. Yes, he was playing with Zach Wilson but that doesn’t excuse the lack of production after signing for 4 years at $44 million.

He’s not the only former teammate who’s taking a roster spot. A contending team shouldn’t have Randall Cobb as a third wide receiver in year 14. Billy Turner was Rodgers’s right tackle in Green Bay for three seasons but has been nowhere near effective in pass protection this season. Not to mention the biggest atrocity: Tim Boyle. Even with Wilson’s lackluster game in Buffalo, Tim Boyle should have never started. Boyle never showed the caliber of being a starter during his first four years in the league. Starting against the Dolphins on Black Friday would have never happened if it weren’t for his familiarity with Hackett’s offense. While Joe Douglas is the general manager and has the final say, to believe in earnest that Aaron Rodgers didn’t influence these moves is delusional. Rodgers’ role in roster construction has been a figurative Achilles heel for the season.

ESPN appearances must not continue in 2024

For better or worse, Aaron Rodgers has an uncanny ability to consistently remain in the public eye. From his publicly known dating life to his begrudged relationship with Mike McCarthy before the coach’s termination, he’s routinely stayed in the spotlight. It only got worse after the arrival of Jordan Love. On top of his criticism of the medical science community with his stance on the vaccine or support of the controversial Robert F. Kennedy for president in 2024. It becomes increasingly hard to ignore. Especially when Aaron Rodgers actively pursues the spotlight off the field.

One of the main concerns has been his increasing rapport with ESPN host Pat McAfee. The beloved media personality became a fixture to sports fans with his slow rise to prominence in media after he retired. He helped build a content-creating machine with the Pat McAfee show. Aaron has been a frequent guest of his while he was playing in Green Bay. It was on McAfee’s show in February when Rodgers made it known he desired to play in New York. However, it has been anything but beneficial to the team.

While the team’s performance on the field has spiraled downward, Aaron’s constant presence makes matters worse continuing his feud with “mainstream sports media” every week. It’s heartbreaking, especially with the gaslighting he engaged in boasting about his “potential” but unfulfilled return this season. Make no mistake, his recovery from the injury is beyond miraculous. However, he shouldn’t get a pass for it being a larger focal point instead of filtering Hackett’s plays on game day. He smiles and keeps telling everyone it’s fine when it’s clear his preferred offensive coordinator has done a worse job than Mike LaFleur.

Hope for change?

Whether fans like it or not, Douglas, Saleh, Hackett, and Rodgers will all be returning next season. The benefit for Joe Douglas is having a top-ten draft pick and cap space. Robert Saleh is still a great defensive-minded coach who built a strong defense. As for Hackett and Rodgers, it’s tough to be excited about running back this offense without major personnel changes. It’s encouraging he professed his desire to play at least two more seasons in New York. I believe he does have a genuine love for the fanbase. He seems determined to finally end the franchise’s 13-year streak without a playoff game. However, Aaron Rodgers needs to do some self-reflection. It’s a tall task, but he’d make next year a lot easier if he strictly focused on the field and avoided doing weekly TV appearances.

This is a talented roster on the defensive end and the combination of a healthy Aaron Rodgers and Alijah Vera-Tucker joining Wilson and Hall shines hope for the offense in 2024. But, fans can’t keep calling for Saleh and Douglas to be gone while letting Aaron off the hook scot-free. It’s time to be reasonable and finally point some accountability at the “franchise quarterback” this year. Not to pin the failures of this year. Instead, shine a light to reflect and learn during this pursuit of greatness moving forward.

Main Photo: [Sam Navarro] – USA Today Sports

Michael Zimmelman

Michael Zimmelman

Michael is an NFL editor & writer covering the New York Jets. His articles strive to provide fans with a unique and engaged perspective highlighting the organization as a whole. From player analysis, transactions, coaching retrospectives and more.

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