Aaron Rodgers out for the season

Image via Spectrum News

In his debut with the New York Jets, quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a Torn Achilles Tendon on the fourth play of the game. Rodgers was the most significant move the Jets made this offseason, acquiring the former Super Bowl champion and four-time MVP from the Green Bay Packers, along with first-round defensive rookie from Iowa, Will McDonald IV. 

The Jets have had a pretty quick rebuild in recent years. In 2020, The Jets moved on from Sam Darnold at quarterback, and in his replacement, selected BYU-product, Zach Wilson, second overall. In 2021, the Jets signed then-San Francisco 49ers Defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, as the franchise’s next head coach The team had a great 2022 Draft Class, notably selecting Cincinnati cornerback Sauce Gardner, Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson, and Iowa State running back Breece Hall. Despite the team’s 7-10 Record, four members of the Jets secondary were named to the Pro Bowl. The 2022 New York Jets became the third team in NFL history to have a pair of rookie teammates be named Offensive and Defensive Rookie Of The Year, with Wilson and Gardner respectively. 

Of course, this rebuild was good for the Jets, but getting a legendary quarterback in Aaron Rodgers made it a whole lot better. As mentioned previously, the Jets finished last season 7-10 and were highly anticipated for this season to make a potential Super Bowl run with all of their new offensive additions. However, four plays into their home opener and Aaron Rodgers’ season ended before it could start. Rodgers went down clutching onto his foot and had to be carted to the lockerroom. Zach Wilson, who so far has been disappointing in the organization thus far, ended up coming in and getting the win for the Jets in their home opener. Robert Saleh was asked about Rodgers after the game and let the press know that it was his Achilles and it was not looking good. Garret Wilson had gone to visit Rodgers during halftime to see how he was holding up, and all Rodgers said to Wilson upon entering the locker room was, “Sorry kid”. This statement by Rodgers reached many especially, Garret Wilson who had been looking up to Rodgers ever since he was young.

With Rodgers out of the picture, this season may have a very different outcome than many may have expected for the Jets. Zach Wilson doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to being a quarterback in the NFL due to being inconsistent in years prior with the organization, and even once being benched by a 37-year-old Joe Flacco because he had been playing so bad. If I had to guess, I’d say the Jets will end up somewhere around 9 to 11 wins on the season, and I could still very well see them sneaking into the playoffs.

The Jets, due to having a 7-10 record last year, have a relatively easy schedule compared to many teams who are projected to be in playoff contention, which could play to their advantage. I think the Jets very well could make it past the first round of the playoffs after the performance they had against the Bills. Overall, the Jets without Rodgers probably at their best will be a team that barely makes the playoffs, unless they figure out their quarterback situation quickly. It is the NFL, so while anything is possible, this road for the Jets is getting progressively worse as injuries like this keep happening to them. I think at their worst, the Jets won’t make the playoffs in the first place, but I find that highly unlikely with all the raw talent that this young team possesses.