New York Jets Enter Limbo Due To Aaron Rodgers' Declining Play

Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers has been struggling this season for the New York Jets. Many critics have noted that Father Time may be knocking on the 41-year-old quarterback's door. The New York Jets do not have a quarterback in waiting and the struggles of their current starter places the team in a perilous limbo.

Jets' Head Coaching Conundrum

Syndication: The Record - Source: Imagn

The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh midseason. The former head coach was renowned for his defensive prowess and tough running game offense. Despite his defensive ability, the team struggled on offense consistently. To fix this, Saleh sought out the services of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. In his first season for the New York Jets, Rodgers sustained a season-ending injury in his very first game.

Saleh coached the rest of the year without the star QB, putting up great defensive numbers but struggling to deal with a below-average offense. Fast forward to Rodgers' second season with the Jets, Saleh’s defense experienced a regression while the run game's effectiveness faltered. These issues were not helped by the struggles of Rodgers who failed to live up to his MVP status following his injury.

The declining play of his defense and the lackluster look of his offense led to Saleh losing his job, leaving the Jets with interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.

GM Joe Douglas Shown The Door

NFL: Combine - Source: Imagn

Joe Douglas' tenure as GM of the New York Jets shows how difficult that job is. Douglas hit on every position except the one which mattered most. Joe Douglas was able to find playmakers on defense, running backs, and even nailed his head coaching pick, but the selection of Zach Wilson still haunts the offense. The number two overall pick flamed out in New York. Douglas tried to replace the struggling young quarterback with the experienced Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, the veteran sustained a severe injury that left them lacking at the most important position once again.

Douglas' inability to hit on the sport's most important position led to him losing his job as well, leaving the Jets without a GM and permanent head coach. Joe Douglas' firing came shortly after Robert Saleh's, highlighting the Jets' decision to start over from scratch.

An Old, Declining and Expensive Quarterback For The New York Jets

NFL: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - Source: Imagn

Aaron Rodgers was one of the league's best playmakers. His calling card in Green Bay was that he kept the ball safe and always had his team in positions to capitalize on offense. As a New York Jet, Rodgers has lost his fastball. Despite surrounding himself with many former Green Bay receivers, the group has failed to recreate the magic that led to four MVPs while Rodgers was a Packer.

Rodgers' contract situation adds further confusion. The 41-year-old is on a $38 million contract in 2025 but a large majority of it is a bonus he earns by still being on the team heading into the new season. If the new GM and head coach don't see Rodgers as a part of their future, the Jets will have to start from scratch from the sport's three most important positions.