As one of the top stories in the NFL this offseason, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets can’t seem to escape the limelight.
When Rodgers was absent for the Jets’ mandatory minicamp, the story on why he was missing brought a rumor mill of thoughts. Was he on another darkness retreat? Was he preparing for an upcoming vice presidency? Was he in a foreign country partaking in psychedelics?
#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and OLB Haason Reddick are not at mandatory minicamp, per HC Robert Saleh. They are both subject to fines.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 11, 2024
Rodgers had an event that was important to him. Reddick is likely due to his contract.
pic.twitter.com/c9lBZQWHDl
Well, it’s still up in the air, but the cause for the importance of this comes from a quote Rodgers muttered at the end of last season’s disappointing conclusion.
“It’s going to be a long offseason for all of us,” Rodgers said. “We’re all going to be on the hot seat next year. Anything in this building that we’re doing that has nothing to do with winning needs to be assessed. Everything that we do has to have a purpose … the (expletive) that has nothing to do with winning has to get out of the building.”
Aaron Rodgers in New York Jets’ 2023 end-of-season press conference
The reason this quote sticks out so much now, five months later, is because he recognized something that hindered their abilities last year, pointing to distractions as something that held them back.
Now, it’s unfair to say that’s the full extent of the truth, as Rodgers’ injury in Week 1 was likely a greater reason for the Jets’ disappointing 2023 campaign. Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, and while he’s entering his 20th season in the NFL, he’s still capable, earning back-to-back MVPs just a few years ago.
However, his past accolades aren’t being questioned at this point; it’s what he can provide now.
The Jets went offense on their first five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, as their shortcomings predominantly surrounded that side of the football. Defense wasn’t an issue for New York.
New York Jets rank among the biggest distractions of 2024 NFL season
Looking at this offseason and the upcoming season, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine released the eight biggest distractions for the 2024 NFL season. Coming as a surprise to few, the Jets were among the first names mentioned.
In this ranking, the Jets came in as No. 2 due to the fact that head coach Robert Saleh has struggled offensively in his entire tenure with the team. His defenses have been strong, but the New York hasn’t clicked on offense.
This year, the Jets are remaining firm in their beliefs that Rodgers can return from last year’s injury and play a big part in this offense, overturning last season’s disappointing conclusion.
However, Rodgers, heading into his second season with a new team for which he’s played just four snaps, creates an even greater distraction in a pivotal season for Gang Green. Not only for Saleh, but for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as well.
While Saleh runs the ship as the head coach, Hackett’s offense ranked 29th in the league last year as the offensive coordinator for the Jets. The year prior, in Hackett’s inaugural head-coaching job with the Denver Broncos, his offense was ranked 32nd in points scored.
Hackett was successful in Green Bay with Rodgers, but in his second go with coaching Aaron Rodgers, his job could be on the line this year if the Jets don’t see some serious improvement on offense.
