The Jets picked up their 11th loss of the season on Sunday, falling to the Rams 19-9, bringing the New York record to 4-11 on the year.
One stat-related thing we can say about Aaron Rodgers' bunch, though: Their much-touted "leadership'' doesn't know how to lead.
After starting off with a touchdown on a 99-yard opening drive, the Jets' offense would fail to find the end zone for the remainder of the contest. The Jets didn't score at all in the second half.
It was the third time this season the Jets failed to put 10 points on the board. The sole touchdown came on a pass to Davante Adams, Rodgers' 499th career touchdown. Right before the end of the first half, the Jets had the ball on the Rams' 3-yard line. Rodgers tried to force a ball up to Adams for No. 500, which fell incomplete.
Rodgers spoke with reporters postgame, and chose some interesting verbiage, specifically when discussing throws.
"We didn't throw it very efficiently from that point forward,'' Rodgers said of the Rams switching to a mainly cover-two scheme in the second quarter. On the overall day, Rodgers said "We just didn't get open and hit them when they were open enough."
While it is often that humble locker room leaders will use "we" to describe successes, (even if it is their specific actions being talked about), Rodgers made sure to use "we" when discussing the throws in particular. Which is interesting, considering the only player in Green to attempt a throw was... Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers also mentioned the artificial field of MetLife Stadium not giving him the advantage that the natural playing surface of Lambeau Field gave him.
On the stat sheet, Rodgers didn't have the worst game, throwing for 256 yards. But, as per usual, he failed to secure the win. He was also strip-sacked, and when asked about it post game, gave his closest answer to accountability on the day.
"Probably should've dealt the ball," he said. Probably.
And then there is this unfortunate remark: "You gotta figure out what it means to be a professional,'' he said. "I think that's an important part of building culture. The last two weeks we can really see who's on board moving forward and who is ready to get out."
"Who's on board''? "Who wants out''? Why does the failed QB think he's in charge of all of this? Why doesn't he see that maybe he's to blame?
This isn't the first or even second time Rodgers has failed to take any sort of accountability, instead essentially finger-pointing.
Rodgers was ripped by fans and the media alike for his comments after the Jets' 21-26 loss to the Seahawks in Week 13. One of his comments included “There's 11 guys on the field, sometimes it's my fault… and then sometimes the details aren't there in some other spots too."
Rodgers has taken over a Jets franchise that has been incredibly desperate for any sort of success. With Rodgers under center, the Jets' playoff drought has now reached 14 years. There are eighth graders who have not once seen the Jets make the playoffs in their lives.
The Jets have bent over backwards trying to accommodate Rodgers, signing and trading for a bunch of his former-Packers buddies (one of which, in Allen Lazard, dropped two passes today). Former head coach Robert Saleh and former general manager Joe Douglas lost their jobs trying to build a team around Rodgers that was both competitive and made the veteran happy.
Rodgers has done nothing but underperform and cause a media circus since arriving in New York. This season is Rodgers' first since becoming a starter in 2008 that he has led a team to 11 losses. His 4.7% touchdown percentage coming into Sunday is his third lowest as a starter (and the other two years he found himself in the Pro Bowl). His 232 yards per game, 53.5 QBR and 90.8 passer rating are all bottom three marks of his career as well.
The Jets routinely looked to Rodgers to be a leader this season, and have found themselves once again near the bottom of the NFL's standings. It seems increasingly unlikely that his play and character are the reason for the "C" on his chest each week, but instead his contract and status as a legendary quarterback. Rodgers did make headlines this week though, as a perfectly-timed Netflix documentary about the quarterback was released, detailing his achilles recovery, drug use and relationship issues (both romantic and familial).
Thankfully for Jets fans there are only two weeks left in this season. It is unknown if Rodgers will return under center for the Jets next season, he has made comments suggesting that he would love to be back, but it is unknown if the team or the locker room would like him back. He is under contract for next season, so one way or another the team will be paying for bringing him in.
And maybe "paying'' in more ways than one.
