The New York Jets’ season has spiraled into chaos. A team that began with playoff hopes now sits at 3-8, teetering on the brink of elimination. Sweeping changes in leadership have only added to the turbulence, as owner Woody Johnson ousted head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. Amidst the upheaval, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, battling both injuries and questions about his future, has become the center of attention.
Rodgers, a four-time MVP, has struggled through a season riddled with knee, hamstring, and ankle issues. The Jets’ offense, once touted as rejuvenated under Rodgers, ranks among the league’s worst. Yet, despite all the noise, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich left no room for doubt about this week: Rodgers will “absolutely” start against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
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Ulbrich addressed the media on Monday, confirming there has been no internal talk of shutting Rodgers down, even as whispers of benching or injured reserve swirl. “He’s better off today than he’s been in a while,”Ulbrich said. “A healthy Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers we all love. So I’m excited about what that looks like.”
Rodgers’ commitment to staying on the field has been evident, with reports suggesting he declined medical imaging earlier in the season to avoid missing games. While Ulbrich dismissed those claims as baseless, the quarterback’s determination has been a rare constant in an otherwise turbulent campaign. The Jets, however, are operating on borrowed time; their playoff hopes have dwindled to a 0.7% chance, per ESPN analytics.
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For Rodgers, the stakes are high beyond this season. He’s under contract through 2025 but with no guaranteed salary, and sources close to the team doubt Johnson will bring him back next year. Rodgers himself has been noncommittal, publicly expressing interest in continuing his career but stopping short of confirming it would be in New York. His relationship with a potential new coaching staff could heavily influence that decision.
Even with his subpar performance – Rodgers ranks 24th in Total QBR and hasn’t thrown for 300 yards in 33 games – the Jets’ coaching staff has praised his dedication. Passing game coordinator Todd Downing defended Rodgers’ effort, stating, “His work ethic and preparation have been top-notch, even as the results haven’t matched expectations.”
The franchise is also battling a deeper existential crisis. One more loss guarantees their ninth consecutive losing season, a reality that’s worn on veteran leaders like linebacker C.J. Mosley. “If anybody’s checked out, it’s going to show real fast,”Mosley said. “This team needs fighters.”
As the Jets prepare for Sunday, Rodgers will take the field as their leader, perhaps for one of his final acts in green and white. The Seahawks game may offer no playoff implications, but it’s a chance for Rodgers to remind everyone – including himself – why he’s still willing to suit up every week.
