With all the rumors of recent seasons in the Aaron Rodgers saga, it was almost hard to believe that a divorce was finally going to happen between the legendary quarterback and the Packers. After all the false alarms, it finally happened for real, Rodgers is a Jet. A bit like a former Packers number 4 by the way… like history is repeating itself!
Also 39 years old in 2008, Brett “the Jet” Favre had had a mixed season that ended with a 9-7 record, insufficient to advance to the playoffs. Fifteen years later and with a new Packers veteran at quarterback, the Jets will try to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 while Rodgers will try to show that he still belongs to the select club of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
In Rodgers’ case, it’s not necessarily his talent on the pitch that’s in question, but rather his mindset.
After two seasons of being named MVP, Rodgers showed up in a bad mood last year with inexperienced or on the downslope receivers. The Packers’ season, like their individual performances, have been compromised.
In New York, Rodgers could develop some interesting chemistry with 2023’s top offensive rookie Garrett Wilson. Wilson has been a threat all season for opposing thirds despite sometimes questionable performances at quarterback. With one of the best quarterbacks in history to throw the ball to him, the second-year player could make impressive progress.
Determined to bring Rodgers to the Big Apple, the Jets got their hands on Allen Lazard, Rodgers’ favorite receiver last year, and Randall Cobb, No. 12’s lifelong friend (now 8!). Added to the presence of Corey Davis and Mecole Hardman Jr., Rodgers is counting on a squad of receivers that is much more interesting than last year. Rodgers will also reunite with Nathaniel Hackett, his former offensive coordinator on the Green Bay side. After a failed stint in Denver, Hackett finds his offensive coordinator boots with his sidekick.
Where Rodgers will have a big helping hand that he didn’t really have last year in Green Bay is in supporting his defense. Under Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets’ defense was dominant last year. She finished fourth in the NFL in points allowed and yards allowed per game. The unit was so dominant that despite ordinary performances from the trio of Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White, the Jets finished the season with a 7-10 record after a 7-4 start. More often than not, Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams and Co. kept the Jets in the game, but the offense was unable to put any points on the board as evidenced by a measly 15 points in three games to conclude the season.
With Rodgers and his ability to protect the ball well and limit turnovers while driving the offense forward, it’s a safe bet the Jets would have been at their hottest in the playoff race.
With the progression of youngsters, including Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and the return to form of Breece Hall to a quartet of running backs with Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda and Bam Knight, the Jets should show a very interesting next year. And that’s if the Jets don’t announce the signing of Dalvin Cook, which would seem imminent at the time of this writing. If his career history has shown us anything, it’s that Aaron Rodgers shines when we allow ourselves to doubt him. After all, we’re talking about a player who has two MVP titles in the last three seasons.
With an experienced and quality driver like Rodgers behind the wheel of the Jets, it wouldn’t be so surprising to see the team soar to great heights.
2023-07-28 12:26:00
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