Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets’ tenure has not gone according to plan and that fact has been laid bare when compared to another Green Bay Packers legend who also made the move to New York: Brett Favre.
Heading into Thanksgiving this season, Rodgers’ Jets have a 3-8 record, one of the worst in the league, despite trading for star wideout Davante Adams and firing head coach Robert Saleh. On the other hand, Favre’s Jets were 8-3 at around the same time in 2008, showing how the 39-year-old was able to remain productive despite his advanced age.
By bringing in Rodgers and Favre, the Jets were hoping for a resurgence to bring the team to relevancy. Instead, Rodgers’ tenure is shaping up to be similar to how Favre’s ended up being: Full of promise in the beginning before ultimately failing to capitalize on the momentum.
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For Favre, the Jets were flying high, but after he tore his biceps in his throwing arm, New York lost four of its final games that season. Rodgers, on the other hand, saw his first season in New York cut short after tearing his Achilles just four snaps in his first game as a member of the Jets.
After having a season to recover, Rodgers’ Jets still have not made the impact many believed they would at this point in the season. Still, some have pointed fingers at the dysfunction surrounding the organization rather than what Rodgers has failed to do.
Former Green Bay fullback John Kuhn, who has the distinction of playing with both Rodgers and Favre, believes that if the Jets organization was more stable, the four-time MVP would have an easier time navigating through its schedule instead of stumbling.
Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets record this season is the opposite of Brett Favre’s record at a similar time (
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“It’s a hot mess in New York,” Kuhn said, per ESPN. “I don’t know how you get continuity, I don’t know how you get rhythm, I don’t know how you get scheduling when there’s so much chaos and change around you at all times.
“Aaron hasn’t played his best, but I don’t know if that place is conducive to performing at your best.” And one way the Jets are attempting to maintain that continuity is by keeping the 40-year-old as the starter.
Considering how the Jets have played with Rodgers, many were questioning if any thought had been explored about a change in quarterback. However, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has clarified that New York has no intention of shutting down Rodgers, even as the team continues to struggle.
Speaking with reporters, Ulbrich made it clear Rodgers will continue to see snaps. “All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich told reporters.
“So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the last month, and a healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. So, excited about what that looks like.”
Regarding any dysfunction, Ulbrich admitted he and Rodgers understand each other better than what those outside the organization are led to believe. I think we’re both people that are — not to say I’m completely void of the knowledge of what’s going on outside this building — but my focus is here and what I can control,” he continued. “I think he feels the same way. From that standpoint, we’ve been on the same page from the beginning of this.”
Rodgers has slammed reports that he would like to play elsewhere in 2025, while also hinting he might not return at all, though that is a decision he has yet to fully entertain.
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