Aaron Rodgers still sees leaks as major problem for Jets
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks downfield during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
Aaron Rodgers mentioned the possibility of being released by the Jets the day after the season ends — for the second straight week — and joked that it could be done by one of Woody Johnson’s teenage sons.
This was in reaction to a story in The Athletic last week that detailed dysfunction in the Jets’ organization under Johnson’s ownership, citing anonymous sources, and described his two sons as being involved in football decisions.
“Being released would be a first. Being released by a teenager, that would also be a first,” Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday. “I’m open to everything and I find the comedy in all of it.
“If that happens, hey, you know what? It’s a great story. If that happens, it’s a great story.”
Rodgers has been very vocal about the Jets having too many media leaks and that it needs to change for them to become a successful franchise. They are 4-11 and have missed the postseason for 14 consecutive years.
“Not good for the culture,” Rodgers said.
He was asked specifically about this most recent article, which led with Johnson nixing a trade with the Broncos for receiver Jerry Jeudy because of his rating on the Madden video game. A league source said the trade talks stalled when the Jets wanted Denver to take back Allen Lazard in the deal.
Rodgers simply said “yes” after being asked if all the things that are written and said about the Jets make him shake his head. He said the Jets need “to fix” some of the content that is coming out.
“The standard needs to be that you’re not creating questions for other people all the time, you’re not leaking these things,” Rodgers said. “What’s best for the Jets is not having these type of leaks all the time. When that gets figured out, then it’ll be a little easier to win.
“That doesn’t have a direct impact on the players on the field, right? But it has an impact on the culture of the chemistry and the overall energy of the building. And that’s what needs to get better.”
The Jets have two games remaining in a season that opened with Super Bowl dreams. Two games are all that Rodgers may have left in his Jets career.
Johnson already has fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, and whoever is hired as their replacements could have a say in whether Rodgers is back. It’s conceivable that Johnson already has made that decision. Rodgers has alluded to that possibility twice in the past week.
“I haven’t decided whether or not I want to play moving forward,” he said. “They haven’t decided, or maybe they have and haven’t told me what their plans are moving forward.
“I think there’s a world where they just say, ‘Hey, thank you. We’re going to go in another direction’ on Jan. 6th. That’s a possibility. I think there’s also a possibility we’re going to wait and see who the new staff is.”
Rodgers reiterated that he would be willing to take a pay cut next season and mentor a young quarterback if he were asked to do so by the Jets.
Rodgers, 41, has played better of late, although he had a key turnover in Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Rams that led to the go-ahead score.
Afterward, Rodgers said the Jets need to be professional and that their practice habits and effort these last two weeks will show “who’s on board moving forward and who is ready to get out.”
Safety Chuck Clark said “there’s definitely some truth to” Rodgers’ statement. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood said he hasn’t seen that yet, but he hopes everyone will play for each other.
“Obviously, [we’re] not in the playoffs. Obviously, the season didn’t go the way we wanted,” Sherwood said.
“But these final weeks, you’ll just find out what type of man you have next to you.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
