The New York Jets acquisition of Aaron Rodgers marked more than just a quarterback trade; it signaled a new approach to team management. The team centered everything around Rodgers, from personnel decisions to the overall scheme and culture. However, this strategy faced a significant setback as Rodgers announced the end of his comeback bid for the 2023 season on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Although Rodgers will be back in 2024 after recovering from Achilles surgery, doubts arise about a 40-year-old quarterback singlehandedly transforming a franchise with longstanding challenges. The Jets grapple with major issues, including concerns about personnel, scheme, and culture.
A critical question is whether General Manager Joe Douglas and Coach Robert Saleh will be given the opportunity to address these challenges. Rodgers expressed his belief in the leadership of the organization, providing a strong endorsement for Douglas and Saleh. Any potential changes at the ownership level could impact the team’s future and relationship with Rodgers, who has committed to playing at least two more seasons. The New York Jets
Saleh’s record is 16-32, including a 2-11 mark in December/January games. His .333 winning percentage is the third worst in franchise history among coaches with at least one full season, ahead of Adam Gase (.281) and Rich Kotite (.125). Douglas, who arrived two years before Saleh, is 25-55 as the top football executive.
Ordinarily, those kinds of records get people fired, but this is a unique situation because of the Rodgers factor. At the same time, the fan base is fuming, having endured 13 straight non-playoff seasons — the longest active streak among the four major sports leagues.
Rodgers probably feels indebted to Douglas and Saleh because they got him out of an uncomfortable situation in Green Bay and showed faith in him when no other team was knocking on his cabin door at his darkness retreat in February. Rodgers — in the twilight of his legendary career — doesn’t want to start over with a new coach and GM.
Johnson has poured so much into Rodgers (including $75 million guaranteed for 2023 and 2024) that it might behoove him to maximize that investment, which is why the sense at One Jets Drive is Douglas and Saleh will be back. Maybe that changes if they lose out, but right now, it seems like it’s mulligans for everyone.