Aaron Rodgers sat in front of a full crowd at the New York Jets’ facility and made an observation that many frustrated fans had already noticed.
“I noticed walking in this morning,” the quarterback said during his introduction in April 2023, “that that Super Bowl 3 trophy is looking a little lonely.”
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, was brought in to help change that. The Jets and their fans thought they finally had the experienced leader with a championship background that they had been hoping for over the years.
But instead, Rodgers has become just another failed attempt at a savior in what has been one of the most difficult seasons in franchise history.
The team’s hopes for a Super Bowl are gone. By their bye-week break, the Jets were 3-8, with a series of ugly events leading them to this point.
“I mean, it’s disappointing,” Rodgers said after the Jets lost 28-27 to Indianapolis last Sunday. “I know I’ve said that three times now, but we’ve been working really hard trying to figure out what the issues are. It’s not just one person.
“Sometimes it’s me. Sometimes it’s somebody else.” Owner Woody Johnson has made it clear he’s unhappy with everyone involved.
After the Jets’ 2-3 start, he fired coach Robert Saleh. It was a surprising move because it came so early in the season—after just five games—and it was the first time in Johnson’s 25 years in charge that he had made a midseason coaching change.
Johnson believed this year’s team was one of the most talented in the franchise’s history, so he promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim head coach.
“This change, the change that we made today — that I made,” Johnson said, “I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins, starting now.”
However, the Jets are 1-5 since then and seem on track to miss the playoffs for the 14th straight year, the longest active streak in the NFL.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, one of Rodgers’ closest friends and someone with whom he had success in Green Bay, was removed from calling plays and replaced by passing game coordinator Todd Downing.
In an effort to still make a playoff run, the Jets traded for wide receiver Davante Adams, another one of Rodgers’ friends, last month. They also got edge rusher Haason Reddick back on the field after a long contract holdout.
But none of these moves have worked.
On Tuesday, Johnson made another change by firing general manager Joe Douglas after five years, during which the Jets went 30-64 and had no winning seasons.
This move seemed inevitable, especially since Johnson didn’t consult Douglas when firing Saleh. Douglas, whose contract was up at the end of the season, seemed unlikely to return anyway.
“Obviously, it starts with me,” Douglas said about the Jets’ 3-6 record when he spoke to reporters. “I can look back and there’s quite a few things that I could have done better.”
Johnson apparently agreed.
Now, the Jets will be looking for a new head coach and general manager, a search that Johnson says is already starting.
The big question is whether Rodgers, who will turn 41 on Dec. 2 and has one year left on his contract, will be part of the Jets’ rebuilding process.
Rodgers recently said, “I think so, yeah,” when asked if he planned to play next season. His answer wasn’t very reassuring, but it showed that he wants to continue despite the disappointing events of this season.
But Rodgers has been a part of the problem with the worst start to a season in his 20-year NFL career. He has thrown for a career-low 6.4 yards per pass, and worse yet, he has looked hesitant recently.
“I know Aaron would love to be playing better,” Ulbrich said after the loss to the Colts. “But it’s not just him, it’s all of us.”
Rodgers’ contract next year includes non-guaranteed money, and he will count $23.5 million against the salary cap. However, if the Jets cut him before June 1 next year, they would face a $49 million dead money charge; this would drop to $14 million if they cut him after June 1, and $35 million in 2026.
Johnson will need to decide whether Rodgers will stay and whether the new GM and coach will want the same. Rodgers may also ask to be released, traded, or possibly retire.
There were reports earlier this week from The Athletic and ESPN that Johnson had considered sitting Rodgers after four games, which might not sit well with the star quarterback.
Now, uncertainty surrounds the Jets, a team that entered the past two seasons with high hopes but now seems to be in disarray. And the Super Bowl 3 trophy will stay lonely for another year.
“There’s no more time for making excuses,” running back Breece Hall said. “We’ve got to win football games at the end of the day.”
