While most fans have high expectations for New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, not everyone is on board. An anonymous NFL head coach does not believe the four-time MVP can lead the Jets to victory.
“You go back and watch those first four plays before he got hurt, he did not look good,” the coach said to The Athletic’s Mike Sando. “He looks old. If they can’t protect him and they can’t run the football, it’ll be just what you saw late stages in Green Bay. He became ineffective. I’m looking at what he is, not who he is.”
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Rodgers fell out of Tier 1 in Sando’s rankings and landed in Tier 2. Tier 2 is for quarterbacks who “can carry his team sometimes but not as consistently.” Seven votes put Rodgers in Tier 3, which is for quarterbacks who are “legitimate starters but need a heavier running game or defensive component to win.”
Not everyone shares the same opinion as that head coach. One offensive coach was quoted as saying, “Maybe he falls off. I just know the last time I saw him play, he could carry it. I’m going off that.” Despite receiving seven Tier 3 votes, Rodgers also received 23 Tier 1 votes, the most of any quarterback ranked in Tiers 2-4.
The quote about the Jets’ run game and protection is particularly interesting. This head coach ignored the fact that the Jets have one of the best running backs in football (Breece Hall) and an overhauled offensive line. At the minimum, though, they should be able to run the football effectively. Even assuming Rodgers is a Tier 3 quarterback, the Jets have a heavier running game and defensive component. They set up their team specifically to take the pressure off Rodgers.
Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into the Jets’ 2023 season. Drawing conclusions based on such a small sample is unfair. However, it is worth mentioning that Rodgers’ 2022 season was not up to his usual standard. He posted a 64.6% completion percentage, 3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 91.1 passer rating. Rodgers ranked 20th in completion percentage, 23rd in yards per attempt, 7th in touchdowns, and 25th in interceptions
With the Jets signing wide receiver Mike Williams and adding three new starters on the offensive line, Rodgers will enter 2024 with a stronger roster than he had to start 2023. He’ll need to prove that head coach wrong for the Jets to be contenders in the AFC.
