Tag: Aaron Rodgers

Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked for a safety by New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) in the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive revision underway as Jets search for Zach Wilson’s comfort zone

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Built for Aaron Rodgers, the Jets continue to modify their offense to better fit current starting quarterback Zach Wilson.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett invested countless hours in the company of Rodgers to custom fit the West Coast-style offense to the preferences of the former Packers quarterback. When Rodgers was lost for the season four snaps into the 2023 season, that version of Hackett’s scheme went with him.

“It’s not an excuse, but the reality is it was built a certain way and we’re trying to adjust on the fly, which is a challenge,” Saleh said Monday.

Wilson has lost two starts since replacing Rodgers in the first quarter of the overtime win Week 1. He has four interceptions, two touchdowns, a 52.4 completion percentage and has been sacked eight times.

Saleh said Wilson is the Jets’ quarterback and any questions about adding another should be directed to general manager Joe Douglas.

“He’s our unquestioned quarterback. He’s not the reason we lost yesterday,” Saleh said.

The Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) on Sunday, visit the Denver Broncos (0-3) on Oct. 8 and welcome the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) on Oct. 15 before a bye week.

Saleh said Wilson is the starter against the Chiefs, who are riding high after a 41-10 shellacking of the winless Chicago Bears (0-3).

“It starts with me. I’ve got to find a way to be better,” Wilson said Sunday.

Wilson, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2021, is 8-16 as an NFL starter.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ August 26, 2023 -- bCoach Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers celebrates after the third offensive unit scored a fourth quarter TD. The NY Jets against the NY Giants on August 26, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, as the rivals play their final preseason game before the start of the NFL season.

Jets coach would be ‘shocked’ if Aaron Rodgers retires

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jets head coach Robert Saleh envisions Aaron Rodgers breaking the huddle as his quarterback again next season.

Rodgers faces a nine-month recovery from a torn Achilles after leaving Monday’s debut with the franchise with the season-ending injury and landing on injured reserve Tuesday.

Saleh said he doubts Rodgers opts to retire.

“I’d be shocked if this is the way he’s going to go out,” Saleh said Wednesday.

The four-time MVP turns 40 in December but is signed for 2024. He indicated prior to the injury that he intends to spend multiple seasons with the Jets.

Saleh said no surgery date is set for Rodgers, who is being given space to cope with the emotional weight of the injury. Coaches said they’re hopeful Rodgers will rejoin the team and stay connected to help tutor Zach Wilson, who steps back into the starting role Sunday at Dallas.

The Jets are still reviewing options to fill Rodgers’ roster spot. Saleh said a move at quarterback is unlikely this week, with Wilson starting and Tim Boyle elevated from the No. 3 role to be the primary backup.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is injured while being sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

MRI confirms torn Achilles for Jets QB Aaron Rodgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

An MRI performed Tuesday morning confirmed that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers sustained a torn Achilles in his debut with the team Monday night and will be out for the season.

NFL Network said the injury is a complete tear of his left Achilles. Rodgers suffered the injury on the fourth play of his first drive in a Jets uniform when he was sacked by the Buffalo Bills’ Leonard Floyd.

“Not the way any of us wanted it to go, but we know the commitment you’ve made to this team will continue to impact us moving forward,” the Jets posted on their official Twitter account, accompanying a photo of Rodgers.

With Rodgers out, the Jets will turn to Zach Wilson as the No. 1 quarterback. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson was 8-14-0 as a starter with the Jets, who acquired Rodgers in an offseason trade with the Green Bay Packers.

The hope was Wilson could learn under Rodgers, a four-time league Most Valuable Player, from the sidelines this season.

But with the season over for the 39-year-old Rodgers — and whether he returns next season in doubt — the Jets are Wilson’s team, and their Super Bowl dreams took a huge hit.

The Jets initially deemed Rodgers questionable to return before downgrading him to out for the night during the second quarter. X-rays on Rodgers’ left ankle were negative, but reports began to surface during the game that the Achilles was the focus of the injury.

Floyd beat Jets left tackle Duane Brown and got to Rodgers untouched for a 10-yard sack with 11:15 left in the first quarter.

Rodgers initially stood up before sitting back on the turf, with trainers running out to check on him.

A cart was waiting by the team’s medical tent while Rodgers was being examined. He eventually got on the cart but then stepped off and walked into the locker room.

Rodgers was wearing a boot on his left foot when he went for X-rays and returned to the locker room.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) runs onto the field to face the Buffalo Bills in the home opener at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford.

Super drop: Jets’ odds nosedive minutes after Aaron Rodgers’ injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers left four plays into his tenure as New York Jets quarterback, deflating MetLife Stadium and oddsmakers’ outlook on the franchise’s Super Bowl chances.

The Jets were 18-1 to win the Super Bowl before kickoff and dropped immediately to 34-1 at FanDuel as a signal of the shocking reversal of fortunes for the maligned franchise.

Rodgers attempted one pass, an incompletion, and left the game on a cart. He wore a protective boot on his left foot when entering the locker room for X-rays the team said were negative.

Rodgers was expected to undergo an MRI exam to determine whether his Achilles was damaged. The injury was reflected in odds shifts at nearly every sportsbook.

DraftKings dropped the Jets from the seventh-best odds (+1600 to +2800). BetMGM also had the Jets down from +1800 to +2800.

The Jets were also shifted from -130 to make the playoffs to +240.

PointsBet had not immediately adjusted Super Bowl futures and offered the Jets as Super Bowl champs at +1500.

MVP futures odds were off the board at multiple sportsbooks. Rodgers, a four-time MVP, won the award in 2020 and 2021 and had +1600 consensus odds entering Week 1 to capture the honor again this year.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers injured on first drive of season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers departed his franchise debut four plays into the first quarter on Monday night against the visiting Buffalo Bills.

The Jets said Rodgers was questionable to return with an ankle injury.

Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd beat Jets left tackle Duane Brown and got to Rodgers untouched for a 10-yard sack with 11:15 left in the first quarter.

Rodgers initially stood up before sitting back on the turf, with trainers running out to check on him.

A cart was waiting by the team’s medical tent while Rodgers was being examined. He eventually got on the cart but then stepped off and walked into the locker room.

Wearing a boot on his left foot, Rodgers went for X-rays and then returned to the locker room.

“He’s dealing with an ankle right now. We’re getting him checked out and we’ll know a little bit more later,” Jets coach Robert Saleh told ESPN in an interview after the first quarter.

Rodgers, 39, was acquired by the Jets from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason. The four-time NFL MVP is entering his 19th season and has stated he expects New York to compete for a Super Bowl.

Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, replaced Rodgers. Wilson had previously bombed as the starter, prompting the trade for Rodgers.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ August 26, 2023 -- Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the end of the first half. The NY Jets against the NY Giants on August 26, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, as the rivals play their final preseason game before the start of the NFL season.

Aaron Rodgers named captain in first season with Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York newcomer Aaron Rodgers was named one of the Jets’ three permanent captains on Monday.

The four-time MVP quarterback joins linebacker C.J. Mosley and special teams standout Justin Hardee.

Head coach Robert Saleh said a fourth player will be selected to wear the “C” for each game.

Rodgers, 39, was named a team captain in 12 of his 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

The Jets open the season next Monday night at home against the Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers, Jets handle Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass in his first action with the New York Jets in a 32-24 victory over the New York Giants on Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Taking preseason snaps for the first time since 2018, Rodgers played the first two possessions and finished 5-of-8 passing for 47 yards, including a 14-yard TD pass to Garrett Wilson.

After Zach Wilson (11 of 18, 107 yards) took over for Rodgers, third-string QB Tim Boyle came on and was 9 of 11 for 107 yards, including a pair of TDs to Alex Erickson. On the other side of the ball, Brandin Echols returned an interception 67 yards for a Jets’ score.

Down 14-0 after the first quarter, the Giants went to the half trailing 14-13 but couldn’t overtake the Jets in the second half. Backup QB Tommy DeVito finished 19-of-29 passing with one touchdown and one interception and was sacked four times.

David Sills V led the Giants in receiving with six grabs for 81 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown pass from DeVito in the final minute of the game.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) behind Robert Saleh on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Saleh on playing Aaron Rodgers: ‘Can’t coach scared’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh has no qualms about playing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the team’s final preseason game.

“You can’t coach scared, you can’t play scared,” Saleh said Tuesday about his plans for Saturday’s game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.

“You can slip out of your car and have something happen to you. Knock on wood, it will be fine. It’s not uncommon (to play first-string players in the preseason), you can always play the hindsight, fearful game. It’s in the best interest of our team to go out together and prepare for the season.

Rodgers, 39, hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2018 — and that includes the Jets’ three contests this month. The four-time NFL MVP said early in training camp that he would play this summer if that was in line with what Saleh wanted.

“I wouldn’t mind playing in the preseason,” Rodgers said at the time, per the New York Post. “I wouldn’t mind if Robert said, ‘Hey, we are going to go. Let’s do it.’ Most coaches have that fear where they want to get you to Week 1 and not risk it, but I believe there is a chance for the last one.”

Saleh made it clear on Tuesday that he wanted Rodgers to get his feet wet before the season opener.

“For us as an organization, he’s new, though he’s been in the league a long time,” Saleh told reporters. “We didn’t want Sept. 11 (the regular-season opener against the visiting Buffalo Bills) to be the first time he stepped into MetLife. Giants-Jets, whether in the preseason or regular season, we expect a good turnout and anticipation in the building. We didn’t want his first time in new team colors, with new teammates and in a new stadium to be on Sept. 11 for the first time.”

Rodgers enters his 19th NFL season with 59,055 career yards, 475 touchdown passes and a 147-75-1 record as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) during warmups before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Jets land RB Dalvin Cook on one-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets and free agent running back Dalvin Cook agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $8.6 million, NFL Network and ESPN reported Monday.

After being released by the Minnesota Vikings on June 9 following his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, the four-time Pro Bowler will team up with an ex-NFC North rival, Aaron Rodgers.

Cook confirmed the deal by reposting social media posts about the news.

Cook, 28, visited with the Jets last month and also showed interest in the Miami Dolphins. He was linked to yet another AFC East team, the New England Patriots, who wound up signing free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott earlier Monday.

Cook was slated to earn $11 million in 2023 with Minnesota, where he rushed for 5,024 yards and 43 touchdowns the past four seasons.

In 73 career games (72 starts) since the Vikings drafted him in the second round in 2017, Cook has 5,993 rushing yards, 47 rushing touchdowns, 221 receptions, 1,794 receiving yards and five TD catches.

He is coming off surgery on Feb. 14, the latest in a series of major shoulder issues that include a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum.

The Jets’ backfield includes Breece Hall, who averaged 5.8 yards per attempt across seven games as a rookie in 2022 before tearing his ACL; Michael Carter, a fourth-round pick in 2021; and rookie Israel Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick last April who has performed well in the preseason.

–Field Level Media

Jul 31, 2023; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers envisions three-plus years in NY

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three years, maybe more.

Aaron Rodgers sees no reason to limit expectations for how long he might play for the New York Jets.

Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, remains upbeat and optimistic about his own longevity aligning with the Jets’ emergence as a consistent AFC contender.

In the context of being asked about his future bust in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rodgers hinted enshrinement could be eight years or more away. The process includes a five-year waiting period, which equates to three seasons with the Jets.

“Who knows what’s going to happen in eight or nine years? That’s a long way off,” Rodgers said. “I’m taking it one year at a time. Yeah, I’d love to play as long as I can, as long as it’s fun, as long as my body feels good, as long as they want me.”

Rodgers said he’s “not missing it at all” when discussing his recent restructured contract agreement that pushes money from the 2023 salary cap to 2025. He’s 12th in terms of average annual value among quarterbacks at $37.5 million for the next three seasons.

“It wasn’t really a negotiation, like back and forth, me starting at 50 and them starting at 20 and meeting somewhere,” Rodgers said, joking owner Woody Johnson was the only one nervous about the contract. “It was an easy conversation, much of it between me and (GM) Joe (Douglas), just talking about the state of the team and the opportunities that could be out there — that are out there now, that could be out there.”

Tom Brady retired at 45 in February after playing from 2000-22. Rodgers entered the NFL in 2005 as a first-round pick, but he’s not ready to put an age limit on himself.

“This is going to be a few-years partnership,” Rodgers said.

–Field Level Media