When the New York Jets entered the 2023 NFL season, they made an open statement that they are expected to contend for a Super Bowl. Fans were hopeful that Aaron Rodgers, the four-time MVP, could bring back the Jets to the stage that they haven’t reached in 55 years.
But instead, entering week 4 of the season, the fallout from Rodger’s Achilles tear made the Jets players and coaches answer the questions flung from the last quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Regarding this issue, Hall of Famer Joe Namath set out Criticism this week on social media. Namath called for the jobs of head coach Robert Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas, and quarterback Zach Wilson after what Namath deemed a “disgusting” showing.
Responses from the team regarding the Criticism made by Namath
“Joe Namath is a great, great football player,” says the offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. “He has every right to his opinion, and we have every right to prove him wrong.”
Namath said Wilson would be better off as a backup for a team like the Kansas City Chiefs — the Jets’ opponent this weekend — where he could “maybe learn something.”
“I wouldn’t keep him — I’ve seen enough of Zach Wilson,” Namath said. “I’ve seen enough. Has quick feet and can throw a little bit. But I don’t believe what’s going on up there.”
Namath and Wilson met in person at a practice during Wilson’s rookie year, Wilson said.
“Obviously, Joe was an unbelievable player, but this locker room is very tight-knit, and we’re working to get better,” Wilson said. “I’m working to get better, and I know I need to improve. I promise I’m doing everything I can to keep trying to get better. The focus is just to rely on each other in this locker room and lean on each other. That’s all we’ve got at the end of the day, and we’re going to keep trying to improve.”
Hackett’s comments on Garrett Wilson’s conversations
Hackett disagrees there, too, describing Garrett Wilson’s conversations as “actually positive” while also saying it’s OK if they weren’t.
“I mean, when you’re not playing well enough across the board on offense, and we’re not getting what we want on the field, you want the guys to be frustrated,” Hackett said Thursday. “I don’t want the guys to be out there smiling and happy and all that. I think that for me, I didn’t even know what went on, and even the conversation with Garrett was unbelievably positive. He’s fiery, I’m fiery, we’re all fiery. That’s what we want from every single guy.”
“I think you love the passion. I think that we all have to be smart and make sure that passion doesn’t hurt us at the same time, so we want to take that, channel it, and help us out on the field.”
Also Read: Potential Arrival? LA Rams Look Around the Transfer Market For a Solution
