Is it Super Bowl or Bust for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets?
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports
After a soul-crushing start to the season, which led to yet another lost season for the New York Jets, new quarterback Aaron Rodgers is looking to come back and lead Gang Green to their first Super Bowl title since their lone win in 1968.
Former 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers was acquired by the Jets in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, bringing New York a new level of hope this franchise hasn’t had in a very long time. Unfortunately, all the hope evaporated only 4 plays into the 2023 NFL season when Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd sacked Rodgers, causing him to fall awkwardly on his leg. This play resulted in Rodgers suffering a torn Achilles.
The team had to turn to former number 2 overall pick, quarterback Zach Wilson, whose subpar play was one of the catalysts to bringing in Rodgers in the first place. Wilson showed few glimpses of what New York hoped he would be when they drafted him out of BYU, but somehow always managed to fall back into what everyone is used to seeing him do in his short career, which is played below expectations more times than not.
The Jets were able to compile a 7-10 record, an identical mark from the previous season, but that could be attributed to their defense, which finished 2nd in the league. Meanwhile, their offense finished in 31st.
Rodgers, who is usually pretty outspoken, had this to say about his team moving forward:
What that could mean is that the Jets need to establish a new identity for themselves. A team stops shooting itself in the foot, creating a new culture that is centered around discipline and winning. With a great young defense, playmakers on offense like running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and hopefully a healthy Rodgers, the window for them to compete for a championship is open yet short, as the quarterback doesn’t have much time left to capture that elusive second Super Bowl title.
There are also rumblings that A-Rod could look to add his former teammate wide receiver Davante Adams to the squad, which would undoubtedly make New York a favorite to win the AFC and reach Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Whether that happens or not is to be determined.
Will the Jets be able to deliver on the promise that was shown before last season started in such a heartbreaking fashion? Is Aaron Rodgers the man to take the Jets to the promised land? I guess we’ll find out.