The New York Jets had, in the eyes of many, the perfect plan to compete for a Super Bowl title prior to the start of the 2023 NFL season. They traded for Green Bay Packers quarterback (and four-time NFL MVP) Aaron Rodgers to lead their young offense. The thought was that Rodgers would mentor former second overall pick Zach Wilson the same way he mentored Jordan Love in Green Bay. After two or three years, Rodgers would ride off into the sunset and Wilson would finally be ready to take over.
That, however, is not how things played out. Rodgers tore his Achilles four snaps into the Jets’ Week One game against the Buffalo Bills. Wilson was forced back into the starting role and struggled mightily. He was eventually benched following a Week 11 blowout loss and even relegated to third-string.
After the season, Jets owner Woody Johnson was quoted as saying that New York needs a backup quarterback in 2024 because, “We didn’t have one last year.”
So the Jets are in the market for a veteran quarterback and appear to be ready to move on from their former second overall pick. One former Jets quarterback, however, hopes that the team will steer clear of any of Rodgers’ input when it comes to finding a backup.
Boomer Esiason Calls Out New York Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers for Influencing Personnel Decisions
Boomer Esiason, the former NFL MVP who played for New York from 1993-1995 is now a NFL Analyst and co-host of the WFAN show “Boomer and Gio.” On Tuesday, Esiason had a strong message for Rodgers and the Jets as they prepare to move on from Wilson:
“The Jets have to do what’s in the best interest of the team, not in the best interest of one specific player, Aaron Rodgers is not a 25-year-old making $50M a year. He’s a 40-year-old coming off (a torn) Achilles. You better have someone back there that you trust. It doesn’t matter whether Aaron Rodgers likes him or not. You gotta get a real guy in here if he has to play three or four games.
“I don’t really care what Aaron Rodgers thinks in this particular situation…they need a legitimate backup. You have to assume he gets hurt somewhere along the line. Hopefully not seriously. But to make it through 17 games, man, especially coming off an Achilles injury?”
Last year, Rodgers influenced the Jets towards signing Tim Boyle, who served as Rodgers’ backup in Green Bay. Boyle started two games for New York in 2023, throwing just one touchdown compared to four interceptions. He was released before the season even ended and was subsequently signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.
Aaron Rodgers’ “Friends” Have Been Terrible for the New York Jets
There were more than a few of Rodgers’ former teammates/associates that followed him to New York. Wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb were supposed to bring veteran experience and a great connection with the future Hall of Fame quarterback to the young offense. Instead, they combined for less than 400 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Boyle was supposed to be a decent backup option, but, as mentioned, proved to be anything but. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was supposed to instill a high-scoring offense that made Rodgers the back-to-back MVP in 2020-21; but instead needed Rodgers to endorse him after the season in order to keep his job.
Offensive tackle Billy Turner was supposed to be a quality depth piece on the offensive line. Instead, he played so poorly he only appeared in 23% of the offensive snaps despite the Jets’ offensive line being one of the worst in the NFL.Ezoic
On the defensive side of the ball, Adrian Amos was supposed to shore up the safety position. Instead, he found himself cut in early December. Like Boyle, he wound up signing with the Texans.
While Rodgers says he is ready, willing, and able to help recruit players to New York, perhaps the Jets would be better off if he simply didn’t.
