Current:Home > reviewsAn Aaron Rodgers return this season would only hurt the Jets -Wealth Nexus Pro
An Aaron Rodgers return this season would only hurt the Jets
View
Date:2025-04-19 14:21:20
Instead of being the savior the New York Jets envisioned, Aaron Rodgers might well set them back.
Rodgers said Tuesday he’s still trying to come back this season, even after Friday’s abysmal showing against the Miami Dolphins. The Jets aren’t making the playoffs. They’re not even finishing with a winning record. Yet Rodgers is determined to give false hope to a team that’s been going nowhere fast since four snaps into its first game.
What the Jets need is a reality check, a head start on next season — including a solid backup plan if a 40-year-old quarterback goes down — and as high a draft pick as they can get. A Rodgers’ return could jeopardize all of that.
“Once I’m healthy, and that’s where we’re at, (it’s) are we alive? Are we in it? Can I help the team, not hurt the team, by being out there?” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
The short answer to all of these questions is no.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
More:Aaron Rodgers' accelerated recovery: medical experts weigh in on the pace, risks after injury
Two of the Jets’ last three games are against the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots. Not exactly stiff competition for a four-time NFL MVP, even one who turns 40 on Saturday and is trying to knock off the rust.
But whatever momentum boost Rodgers would give the Jets with a late resurgence isn’t going to carry over to next season. He’s not going to show coach Robert Saleh or offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett anything they don’t already know about him and what he can do. Wins against the other dregs of the NFL aren’t going to reveal some big secrets or previously untapped talent that will carry the Jets to the Super Bowl next season.
At best, it would lull the Jets into thinking they’d have been fine if only Rodgers had stayed healthy and allow them to ignore the glaring flaws in their plan. Like not having a legitimate backup quarterback. Or failing to shore up the offensive line.
At worst, Rodgers costs the Jets a better draft pick than the No. 8 slot they have now. And in the very worst-case scenario, which isn’t far-fetched given New York’s second-to-last game is against the Cleveland Browns and quarterback-terrorizer Myles Garrett, Rodgers jeopardizes his health — and his availability for next season.
It’s not worth it for either of them. No matter how much Rodgers has needed a goal to get him through the dark days that followed his injury.
“I’m thankful to have something to look forward to every day, and that’s the rehab and getting better and doing something special. Whether or not I come back this year, it’s been a lot of lessons and a lot of things I’m thankful for in the midst of some really frustrating and sad times,” Rodgers said.
More:From 'Butt Fumble' to 'Hell Mary,' Jets can't outrun own misery in another late-season collapse
It made sense for the Jets to be on board with Rodgers’ comeback plan so long as there was hope there would be something of the season left to salvage when he returned. But the last glimmers of that are gone. It’s time to acknowledge reality.
No one could have foreseen Rodgers shredding his Achilles on the Jets’ first drive of their season opener, so it might seem a bit unfair to quibble with some of the moves Woody Johnson and Joe Douglas made to entice one of the best to play the game to come to New York.
Like hiring Hackett, his good friend from Green Bay, a move that’s turned out oh, so well. Or giving a jaw-dropping $22 million in guaranteed money to Allen Lazard, who has 20 catches and one TD this season and was a healthy scratch Friday. Or signing Rodgers’ close friend Randall Cobb, who has been inactive for five of New York’s 11 games.
But those first two moves have been almost as damaging to the Jets’ season as Rodgers’ injury. Especially when considering some of that money the Jets gave to Lazard could have been used to shore up the offensive line. Or get a decent veteran QB who could help Rodgers mentor Zach Wilson and be a serviceable option should the emergency glass have to be broken.
Which it did. Obviously.
The Jets must use the rest of this year to take a clear-eyed look at their squad and their needs this offseason, and it cannot be done through Rodgers’ lens. Don’t think about who he wants to add or what he could do with what the Jets already have.
Make decisions based on what is best for the Jets, both next season and beyond. Because as the Jets learned the hard way, there’s no guarantee how long Rodgers will be around.
Losing Rodgers cost the Jets the season. Getting him back could cost them even more.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
veryGood! (56)
Related
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- US regulators close investigation into Ford Escape door latches and will not seek a recall
- Man accused of picking up teen fugitive following escape now facing charges, authorities say
- Indianapolis police shoot and kill wanted man during gunfight
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Kenya’s high court rules that deploying nation’s police officers to Haiti is unconstitutional
- King Charles III Visits Kate Middleton as He Undergoes Procedure at Same Hospital
- Judge green-lights narrowing of main road through Atlantic City despite opposition from casinos
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Sydney Sweeney explains infamous 'Euphoria' hot tub scene: 'Disgusting'
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Michigan man convicted of defacing synagogue with swastika, graffiti
- Covering child care costs for daycare workers could fix Nebraska’s provider shortage, senator says
- Justin Timberlake announces The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, his first tour in 5 years
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- University of California board delays vote over hiring immigrant students without legal status
- Why Jesse Eisenberg Was Shaking in Kieran Culkin’s Arms on Sundance Red Carpet
- Alexis Bellino Returning to Real Housewives of Orange County Amid John Janssen Romance
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Jurgen Klopp announces he will step down as Liverpool manager at end of season
St. Louis rapper found not guilty of murder after claiming self-defense in 2022 road-rage shootout
Whoopi Goldberg pushes back against 'Barbie' snubs at 2024 Oscars: 'Everybody doesn't win'
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
An Alaska judge will preside over an upcoming Hawaii bribery trial after an unexpected recusal
Review: Austin Butler's WWII epic 'Masters of the Air' is way too slow off the runway
King Charles III 'doing well' after scheduled prostate treatment, Queen Camilla says