New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not mince words in expressing his displeasure. He was not only irked by a published report that he believes unfairly portrays teammate Zach Wilson as someone “quitting on the team,” but he also criticized the organization for what he termed as “unacceptable” leaks to the media.
In an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers emphasized that the issue lies within the organization itself. He stressed the need to address and resolve the source of these leaks privately, stating that such behavior has no place in a winning culture, citing multiple instances of leaks occurring.
Rodgers was reacting to a report from The Athletic, citing unidentified sources claiming that Wilson, who was benched two weeks ago, is hesitant to return to play due to concerns about potential injury risks. The struggling Jets, currently on a five-game losing streak with a 4-8 record, are set to make another quarterback change this week, with coach Robert Saleh expected to announce the decision on Wednesday.
While Saleh was reportedly leaning towards starting Wilson on Monday, other options like Trevor Siemian and Brett Rypien, recently signed from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, are under consideration. Notably, Tim Boyle, who started the past two games, was abruptly waived on Tuesday.
Rodgers questioned the motive behind tarnishing someone’s character within the team and labeled it as “unacceptable” at its core. He expressed concern about the negative impact such leaks could have on the team’s winning culture and called for immediate action to address the issue.
In what appears to be a move for damage control, Wilson visited Saleh’s office on Monday and expressed his desire to start against the Houston Texans on Sunday, as confirmed by Saleh. Despite this, Saleh deferred the quarterback decision until Wednesday.
Sources speculate that Wilson may have sought advice from a teammate regarding the risk-reward of playing a late-season game with no playoff implications, leading to the leaked information about his reservations. Saleh drew an analogy to college players weighing the pros and cons of skipping bowl games to protect their NFL draft value, considering Wilson may be seeking a new team in 2024.
Rodgers, while expressing his admiration for Wilson as an “amazing young man,” urged Wilson to address the team to clarify the situation. He emphasized that the report implies Wilson is quitting the team, which he believes is not the case.
Although Rodgers did not personally speak to Wilson on Monday to resolve the situation, he emphasized their daily communication. Rodgers, who returned to the team full-time as he continues rehab for his surgically repaired Achilles, expressed disappointment that internal conversations are being leaked and stressed the importance of maintaining trust within the locker room.
Reflecting on the team’s progress since his arrival in April, Rodgers acknowledged positive strides in the team’s culture but highlighted the need to address current challenges. He called for unity and emphasized the opportunity for the team to overcome adversity. As the Jets navigate a turbulent season, Rodgers remains optimistic about reclaiming leadership and steering the team back on track.
