Aside from a shocking walk-off win over a division rival, Monday night was an abject disaster for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. And the number of sad Rodgers statistics coming out only grows more deflating as you read each one.
Instead of playing well for a preseason Super Bowl contender, the future Hall of Fame quarterback tore his Achilles on his first possession. He will now miss the rest of the 2023 season as the Jets look toward other quarterback options. According to The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, Rodgers had expressed concerns about the way the Jets’ offensive line blocks during New York’s training camp earlier this summer.
Based on Monday night’s nightmare, it seems those concerns were entirely valid.
Aaron Rodgers had expressed to #Jets coaches that he doesn't like the play-calls involving the cut-blocks because he can't extend the play and it forces him to get rid of the ball quickly, sources tell me and @DMRussini.
It failed twice on his four drop-backs — one resulted in…
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 12, 2023
There’s no one person to blame for Rodgers’ injury, if it’s even fair to blame anyone at all.
For example, one could argue that general manager Joe Douglas was to blame for piecing together a poor offensive line that allowed Rodgers to be pressured on each of his three dropbacks against the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers didn’t even have time to complete a single pass. One could even blame the condition of the artificial turf at the Jets’ home stadium as ex-Rodgers teammate David Bakhtiari did. There’s also the fact that Rodgers is nearing the age of 40 and was probably more susceptible to injury than in his younger years.
Still, Rodgers has been around the block. If he knew the Jets’ offensive line could be a huge problem — either by scheme or talent — in training camp, it’s on the New York front office to address it. Alas, that is now a problem for 2024 — if Rodgers even returns to Gang Green.
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This was how Twitter reacted to Rodgers' concerns about the Jets' OL
Cut blocks stink but also if you know it’s happening why would you hold the ball? https://t.co/IrdFhbbW3M
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 12, 2023
It took Aaron Rodgers just four plays to throw Robert Saleh under the bus. https://t.co/cpZKmKJyet
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) September 12, 2023
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) September 12, 2023
I have heard throughout the summer concerns with the offensive play calling. The feeling was that Aaron Rodgers was going to overcome it — adjust it as need be. He simply changed, and changed often, what he didn't like.
This, though, is alarming. Your QB expressing concerns… https://t.co/YsqAq6SCA3
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 12, 2023
We literally just watched an entire season of Hard Knocks where everyone was worshipping Rodgers, and now we're supposed to believe he didn't like the play calls on the FIRST drive of the season? Come on… https://t.co/wlpKYqexXt
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) September 12, 2023
I mean that's a bit concerning. If your 4x MVP and future HOF QB says he doesn't like running those plays, then just take them out of the playbook. If you want to keep them in, at least wait until your QB is comfortable within the game structure. https://t.co/A3AbU1Vn3h
— David Wyatt-Hupton (@DWyattHupton) September 12, 2023
Certainly not a positive outlook on where the offense needs to be. https://t.co/cggtXfiwr0
— Nick Faria (@Nick_Faria1720) September 12, 2023
Shots fired across the Jets’ bow https://t.co/xoWu10rYig
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 12, 2023
I'm old enough to remember when Joe Douglas said the O-Line issues were "media driven" https://t.co/YYFT1dADyo
— Michael O'Brien (@MyNameisMoose) September 12, 2023
