Aaron Rodgers to remain Jets' starting quarterback
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers before facing Seattle at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
On Aaron Rodgers’ 41st birthday, he was given a vote of confidence and a lifeline.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers gives the Jets the best chance to win and he’s sticking with the future Hall of Famer as his quarterback.
Ulbrich opened the door to possibly benching Rodgers following Sunday’s 26-21 loss to Seattle. On Monday, Ulbrich said there would be no change at quarterback this week. According to Ulbrich, Rodgers will continue to lead the Jets’ offense over the final five games if he’s healthy.
“He’s our quarterback,” Ulbrich said.
The thought of benching Rodgers was unfathomable before the season began. But Rodgers has been a disappointment this season as have the Jets overall.
At 3-9, the Jets clinched their ninth straight losing season. Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter against Seattle. The offense didn’t produce any points over the last three quarters.
After the game, Ulbrich was asked if he’s considering a quarterback change. He responded, “Not as of today.” It was the first time Ulbrich wasn’t as strong in support of Rodgers. Ulbrich’s tune and tone changed 18 hours later.
“We have great belief in Aaron,” Ulbrich said. “We really do. We think he gives us the best opportunity to win.
“After assessing [Sunday's] game, I thought there were moments in the first half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. I thought there were moments even in the second half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. There were moments he didn’t play to his standard and he’d tell you the same. We believe that he gives us the best opportunity to win, so he’s our quarterback.”
Things might be different if the Jets had a young quarterback waiting in the wings. Rodgers’ backups are veteran Tyrod Taylor and practice squad quarterback Adrian Martinez. Rookie Jordan Travis is still recovering from a broken ankle he suffered at Florida State.
There’s been a definite decline in Rodgers’ play. He was 21-for-39 on Sunday for his second-lowest completion percentage of the season. His 62.5% completion rate ranks 21st among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 200 throws.
Missing his target has become more common for Rodgers. His two most egregious ones on Sunday came on back-to-back plays and “changed the momentum of the game,” Rodgers said.
He overthrew a wide-open Garrett Wilson on a fade that would have been a touchdown and put the Jets up 28-7. On the next play, Rodgers was intercepted by ex-Jet Leonard Williams, who returned it 92 yards for the touchdown.
Rodgers threw for 185 yards Sunday, the third-straight game he’s passed for under 200 yards. It’s the first time he’s done that since becoming a starter in 2008. Rodgers is looking more his age with each passing week. Ulbrich doesn’t believe he has lost it yet, though.
“I don’t because I see enough evidence of him on tape still being capable of playing high-level football for us,” Ulbrich said. .
Another indication that Rodgers is regressing is he’s had the football in his hands five times with an opportunity to engineer a game-tying or winning drive on the Jets’ last possession, including Sunday. They lost all five games.
Ulbrich feels Rodgers’ health has played a factor in his performance. He’s had hamstring, ankle and knee issues in addition to returning from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered last year.
Last week was the first time since Week 4 that Rodgers did not appear on the injury report. He said it was the best he’s felt and moved around, yet the results were the same.
“There are 11 guys on the field,” Rodgers said. “Sometimes it’s my fault, definitely multiple times [Sunday]. And then the details aren’t there in some other spots, too.”
Ulbrich praised Rodgers for “battling through a lot of things regardless of age” this season.
“What he’s had is something that some guys in this league may not play with,” Ulbrich said. “He’s a tough guy and he feels a high level of accountability to his teammates. That’s why he’s out there every week for us. We believe as he gets healthy and his mobility starts to improve, I think you’re going to see a better version of him.”
Nwangwu rewarded
The Jets signed Kene Nwangwu to the active roster from the practice squad after his big special teams game Sunday. He returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and forced a fumble that the Jets recovered. To make room, they released second-year running back Izzy Abanikanda. A fifth-round pick last year, Abanikanda was inactive every game this season.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
