For Aaron Rodgers, the 2023 NFL season with the New York Jets is very likely over after just a few plays. This is particularly bitter for his team, as they may now have to say goodbye to their really big title ambitions. Or does an old friend end up helping out?
The production was actually perfect. On the 22nd anniversary of September 11th, everything in the Meadowlands was geared up for a big evening. The new superstar of the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers, even carried the American flag onto the field, once again underlining his charisma for his new team. It was set up for a Monday Night Game that could have been a statement to the rest of the league.
But in the end everything turned out completely differently. The 39-year-old was under constant fire from the Bills pass rush right from the start and his evening – and probably his debut season in Gang Green – was already over on his fourth play. Edge rusher Leonard Floyd broke through to the QB and brought him – cleanly – to the ground. Rodgers caught his left foot on the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium during the sack and most likely tore his Achilles tendon.
Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed such fears at his press conference following the 22:16 overtime win, which appears secondary in the big picture. An upcoming MRI will very likely confirm this, Saleh admitted. “It is not good.”
From the perspective of the Jets, Rodgers was the main reason for the almost limitless optimism of a fan base that has been waiting for the playoffs since 2010 – the longest dry spell in the NFL. Rodgers should also take the offense to a special level, one that the defense has clearly been at since preseason.
New York Jets: Defense takes coals out of the fire
That defense was also one of the main reasons for the surprising opening success of the new season against Buffalo given the Rodgers drama. However, the wild performance of Bills quarterback Josh Allen also helped a lot. He had thrown three interceptions, all of which were completely unnecessary. Safety Jordan Whitehead didn’t mind much, he politely said thank you. And the fumble just before the end wouldn’t have been absolutely necessary… Sometimes you just have to accept gifts, which the Jets consistently did.
So the Jets opened the season with a win, but now face an extremely uncertain future. The obvious question is what happens next at the quarterback position. According to Saleh, Zach Wilson will now be the starter again. The same Wilson who temporarily lost his starting job to Joe Flacco and Mike White last year. The second overall pick in the 2021 draft is said to have matured enormously under Rodgers’ wing over the summer, they say in Florham Park. However, his interception against Buffalo may disprove that.
And the way the Jets acted offensively after Rodgers’ departure at least suggested that they weren’t completely convinced of Wilson. Basically, he was only allowed to throw short, safe passes, if at all. According to Next Gen Stats, his average passing depth was 4.3 intended air yards – only Justin Field (3.3) and Desmond Ridder (3) threw shorter passes on average in Week 1. Garrett Wilson’s spectacular touchdown came after Zach Wilson’s pass, but at least 90 percent of this catch belonged to the exceptional receiver. The ball wasn’t even thrown particularly well.
So what to do? Like against Buffalo, rely more on the run game and let the defense do the rest? Ten to 20 years ago there might have been a chance of success with this – the Chicago Bears even reached the Super Bowl with it in 2006. But in times when offenses dominate the league – see the Dolphins’ magnificent shootout against the Chargers on Sunday as a prime example – it will probably be difficult to really stay at the top until the end.
New York Jets: Only the GOAT helps?
But what else can the Jets do other than take this more old-fashioned approach to remain the self-proclaimed contenders? It’s not like there’s much in the quarterback market right now. The best names on the free agent market at the moment would be the former second pick of the 2016 draft, Carson Wentz, who has now failed several times, as well as CBS expert Matt Ryan, ex-Jet Joe Flacco and Super Bowl mayfly Nick Foles. Otherwise, career backup Colt McCoy would still be available.
Meanwhile, the running joke on the social platform Could he return again for a great chance at an eighth ring? With Garrett Wilson he would have a great top receiver and the defense is impressive. Brady himself, however, admitted during his ceremony in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday that he was no longer in full playing condition.
Another reason to say no may be his declaration of being a “lifelong patriot.” The Jets are sort of New England’s arch-rivals in the AFC East – Brady’s overall record against the Jets: 30-7! The GOAT only won more often against Buffalo (33). And then there is another factor that should not be ignored and that may have played a role in Rodgers’ serious injury: the offensive line.
Despite all the euphoria surrounding the Jets, one thing was clear long before Rodgers arrived in New Jersey: this O-line could become a problem. Anyone who has followed “Hard Knocks” knows full well that the performance of the quarterback’s protectors was and certainly still is a constant source of frustration for Saleh and Co. It doesn’t help that after three years with the team and a few serious injuries, right tackle Mekhi Becton has finally decided to prepare professionally for a season and slim down.
Aaron Rodgers has apparently torn his Achilles tendon
New York Jets: Saved at the wrong end
Rodgers was only on the field for four plays and only attempted one pass that didn’t arrive. He had two dropbacks in the game and was put under pressure twice, the second time he received the momentous sack. This probably could have been prevented with a functional offensive line. Certainly even if he had separated himself from the ball more quickly and not hesitated, but in his long career it has always been one of his strengths to buy time before making the pass. Behind the current O-line, this was his downfall.
The Jets clearly made a false economy when they took on the high price for Rodgers – even after his incredible waiver of a guaranteed $35 million of his outstanding salary, he is still guaranteed $75 million. They fulfilled his wishes for old companions like receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, but a top tackle failed to materialize. It is known that Rodgers would have liked to get his buddy David Bakhtiari from Green Bay as well. Even if the Packers didn’t want to give him up.
Now you have to live with the consequences of these decisions. You wanted to go all-in with Rodgers, but now you suddenly don’t have any good cards left in your hand.
Marcus Blumberg