EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Issues have gotten so dangerous for the New York Jets and quarterback Aaron Rodgers that the longer term Corridor of Famer’s job safety would possibly now be in jeopardy.
Someday shy of his forty first birthday, Rodgers performed considered one of his worst video games of the season in a 26-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, resulting in a tepid postgame endorsement from interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
Ulbrich punted when requested to present an evaluation of Rodgers’ efficiency, which included a pink zone interception — a game-changing pick-six within the second quarter. Ulbrich stated he wanted to look at the movie earlier than giving an analysis.
It is extremely uncommon for a workforce official to present a “coachspeak” reply when discussing an all-time nice. Ulbrich was requested if he is considering a quarterback change. As an alternative of shutting down hypothesis with a direct “no,” he replied, “Not as of at present.”
It could be a stunner if Ulbrich replaces Rodgers with veteran Tyrod Taylor. Then once more, who is aware of? Proprietor Woody Johnson prompt benching Rodgers when the workforce was 2-2, sources stated after common supervisor Joe Douglas was fired on Nov. 19. Now the Jets are 3-9, having clinched their ninth consecutive shedding season.
“Yeah, I do not know. We’ll determine that out when we have now these conversations,” Rodgers stated about the potential for a change, including, “I am going to have a dialog with [Ulbrich] if that is what he is pondering.”
Rodgers declined to touch upon how he’d react, saying it is hypothetical. He did say he desires to maintain enjoying and that he feels “nearly as good as I’ve felt all season” from a bodily standpoint.
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The one different time in his beginning profession that he thought he could be benched was in 2018, when the Inexperienced Bay Packers completed 6-9-1 in Mike McCarthy’s final season. Rodgers rebounded to win his third and fourth MVPs in 2020 and 2021, cementing his place in historical past.
These days seem gone.
Rodgers (21-for-39, 185 yards) failed to succeed in the 200-yard mark for the third straight recreation and the fifth time this season, because the Jets blew leads of 14-0 and 21-7 and imploded with eight penalties within the fourth quarter.
For the fifth time, Rodgers had an opportunity to tug out a win on the ultimate possession — and got here up quick. The Jets drove to the Seattle 29 on the two-minute warning, however they went backward and ended on a hopeless heave to no one in the long run zone.
“It is disappointing. What else are you able to say?” he stated. “We have had a number of possibilities in these conditions. Numerous these video games come down to at least one play, whether or not you make it or miss it. Generally that play occurs within the second quarter. If I make that play, [it’s] 28-7 — a special ballgame.”
He was referring to his overthrow on a second down from the Seattle 9. Broad receiver Garrett Wilson was broad open in the long run zone, however the go sailed over his head. On the following play, Rodgers threw his first pink zone interception of the season — his second pick-six of the yr.
Rodgers stated he did not see former Jets defensive sort out Leonard Williams, who had dropped into protection. Williams tipped the go to himself and returned it 92 yards for a landing — the longest pick-six for a defensive lineman in NFL historical past.
“I believe he is an older man, would not need to take huge hits like that anymore,” Williams stated of Rodgers. “So generally if he feels a man coming full pace at him, he is simply going to chuck it and duck. We had him in a scenario the place [Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald] known as an incredible name and it paid off.”
It was a possible 13-point turnaround. As an alternative of a 28-7 lead, the Jets’ benefit was reduce to 21-13 after the Williams landing and a failed PAT.
“These performs within the second quarter value us the sport,” Rodgers stated.
He did throw an 8-yard landing to broad receiver Davante Adams, and there was a 4-yard shovel go to operating again Isaiah Davis for a rating. In any other case, he struggled along with his accuracy, finishing solely 2 of 14 passes of 10-plus air yards, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats.
Rodgers, selecting his phrases fastidiously, distributed the blame, shifting the total brunt away from himself.
“Nicely, there are 11 guys on the sphere,” he stated, explaining his struggles. “Generally it is my fault. Positively a number of occasions at present. After which the small print aren’t there in another spots, too.”
Operating again Breece Corridor contributed to the collapse by fumbling within the third quarter, which arrange a Seattle discipline purpose. He was disconsolate after the sport, saying, “I really feel like this yr has in all probability been probably the most making an attempt yr of my life … If I can not care for the ball, I should not be within the recreation. So, I’ve to be higher, and I felt like at present I misplaced us the sport.”
The Jets are spiraling to considered one of their worst seasons in franchise historical past, prompting cornerback Sauce Gardner to say, “It is unacceptable, man. It is unacceptable.”
