Even Aaron Rodgers couldn’t save the Jets and he will tell you why.
While talking to reporters Thursday, Rodgers reflected on what has been a fun season in Pittsburgh and compared it to the disaster of a time he had in Florham Park.
“One of the things I love, and this is kinda the antithesis of where I was, there’s not really any leaks in the boat,” he said. “Every year you have difficulties and adversity, both on the field and off the field and to go through a season like this and be able to focus on football and not have a lot of other little bulls–t out there has been really nice.”
Rodgers’ time with the Jets ended unceremoniously, as he took umbrage with new coach Aaron Glenn’s approach to telling him the team would be moving on after taking a cross-country flight.
Rodgers detailed on the “Pat McAfee Show” that the meeting lasted about 15 minutes when Glenn abruptly ended the meeting, saying that they were going in a different direction at quarterback, which Rodgers pointed out could have been done over the phone.
It would appear that all of the laughs from that point are going in Rodgers’ favor, though.
He ended the season in dominant fashion, winning four of the last five games, including a playoff-clinching Week 18 against the Ravens that featured a dominant fourth quarter.
This revival season came after two down years with the Jets from 2023-24 during which he indicated there were leaks everywhere.
Former Jets coach Robert Saleh was particularly upset with Rodgers when he missed mandatory OTAs in June 2024, calling it an unexcused absence and fining him roughly $50,000.
It was later revealed that Rodgers was in Egypt on a planned vacation rather than at OTAs.
A prior leak emerged in December 2023 that irked Rodgers when a report came out stating that backup Zach Wilson was unsure about retaking the role as starting quarterback while Rodgers was out with a torn Achilles, with third-stringer Tim Boyle being virtually unplayable at the time.
Rodgers called the leaks a “problem with the organization” that needs to end.
“We need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it privately. There’s no place in a winning culture (for this),” Rodgers said in December 2023.
Rodgers previously said this would be his final year, but his strong season at 42 years old has breathed new life into his career and potentially open the door for another campaign.
Before any decision is made, the Steelers and Rodgdrs have a tough task against an elite pass rush when they host the Houston Texans in the Wild-Card round Monday.
“It feels good to shut all those comments down,” Rodgers said about his elite end to the season and resulting playoff berth. “Clean the slate now, anybody can make a run. It’s the hottest team. We’ve won four of five. We’re playing a lot better football than we were earlier in the season. I like our chances.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
