No More Excuses for Aaron Rodgers on Sunday Night

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are set to play in their second consecutive primetime game, this time on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. So far, the Jets are 0-2 on Monday Night this year, 1-0 on Thursday, and hoping to win the first of 2 Sunday night games this season. They are also in the midst of a three-game losing streak where in all 3 games they had the ball at the end of the game with a chance to drive down the field and win.

Against the Broncos, they had 1:27 to drive 60 yards for a touchdown. They stalled out at the 32-yard line (28 yards gained)  and Greg Zuerlein missed the 50-yard field goal that would’ve won the game. Media and fans alike ripped Robert Saleh and Nathaniel Hackett and they were certainly under fire when the team rolled into London to face the Vikings.

Against the Vikings, they had 3:07 to drive 70 yards for a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers missed Garrett Wilson on this wide-open opportunity that almost certainly would’ve resulted in a touchdown. Then, five plays later, he threw his third interception of the day and lost the game. The pass was intended for Mike Williams, but not too much was made of that; it was more about the play-calling and penalties that plagued the team throughout the game. Saleh was fired 48 hours later, and Hackett was stripped of play-calling duties.

Against the Bills, they had 3:43 to drive 70 yards for a touchdown.  Rodgers went 3-6 on his passes, the Jets traveled 30 yards, and then Rodgers threw an interception to lose the game. This pass was intended for Mike Williams, and with no Saleh to blame, the fanbase roared that Mike was terrible. The team traded for Davante Adams that night.

For three straight games, Aaron Rodgers has had the chance to create the magic that we’ve seen all-time greats like Brady, Manning, and even Mahomes make time and time again, but all three of them have ended in disaster. The Head Coach has been fired, the play-caller demoted, and now his most prolific pass-catching teammate, arguably of all time, is 100% healthy and ready to go this Sunday. If the New York Jets lose, who is left to blame?

Sure, Tyron Smith has been letting him get killed a few times per game, but it’s the NFL – every Quarterback is going to get touched. With Davante, Garrett, and the current NFL leader in TD receptions Allen Lazard, I’d argue Rodgers has the best WR trio in the league at his disposal. His defense has also allowed 24+ points once in six games. There are no more excuses. Don’t put the game on Greg Zuerlein’s leg because he clearly isn’t what he used to be. Utilize the most talented skill position collection in the league and let’s see you throw 300 yards for the first time in almost three years (Nov. 2021).

Is Aaron Rodgers washed? We know he’s not in his absolute prime but it has looked at points like he still has enough in the tank to be a damn good QB. Now with all of the excuses either neutralized or diminished, let’s see if Aaron truly can still be considered great in 2024. Let’s go Jets

James Wudi

Born and raised in NY, cursed to be a Jets, Knicks, and Mets fan for life. I take turns every year crying over my snake-bitten franchises but hopefully before I die my favorite of the bunch (Jets) will be able to reward my undying faith in them. In the meantime, I'll provide rational insight and analysis to help give you a realistic perspective on the greenest show in New York City!

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