The 2022 season saw the New York Jets closing out their campaign with a 7-10 record, firmly planted at the bottom of the AFC East standings. Despite standout performances from rookies like wide receiver Garrett Wilson, running back Breece Hall (whose season was cut short by injury), and cornerback Sauce Gardner, the Jets struggled to find consistency in their game. A significant contributing factor, they believed, was the readiness of their 2021 second overall pick, Zach Wilson, to take on the role of starting quarterback.
The Jets’ solution to this quandary was to seek out a seasoned veteran quarterback who could serve as a mentor to Zach Wilson for a couple of seasons. Their previous attempt with Joe Flacco in 2022 fell short of expectations, prompting owner Woody Johnson and general manager Joe Douglas to set their sights on the disgruntled Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
The saga of Rodgers’ arrival in New York is now well-documented. The Packers, weary of Rodgers’ wavering commitment to playing, opted to hand over the reins to Jordan Love. General manager Brian Gutekunst’s attempts to communicate with Rodgers during the offseason went unanswered, leading Green Bay to trade away the future Hall of Famer.
Ultimately, it was the Jets who emerged as Rodgers’ preferred destination, thanks in part to persuasive efforts from team owner Woody Johnson. The acquisition of wide receiver Allen Lazard, one of Rodgers’ favorite teammates in Green Bay, further sweetened the deal. Additionally, the Jets secured Nathaniel Hackett, former offensive coordinator for the Packers during Rodgers’ MVP-winning seasons, to serve in the same capacity on their coaching staff.
Following the trade, the Jets bolstered their roster with former Packers Randall Cobb, Billy Turner, Adrian Amos, and Tim Boyle, in hopes of recreating the camaraderie and success from their time in Green Bay. The expectation was that Rodgers and his former teammates would elevate the Jets to contention for the Super Bowl.
However, the reality fell far short of expectations. Rodgers suffered a devastating Achilles injury just four snaps into his first game with the Jets, setting the tone for a season marred by disappointment. Lazard and Cobb both struggled to replicate their previous success, with Boyle’s performances proving disastrous, leading to his release. Amos and Boyle found themselves released from the team, and Turner saw limited playing time on an underperforming offensive line.
The Jets ended the season with another 7-10 record, with the job security of the coaching staff resting solely on Rodgers’ endorsement. Wilson’s struggles under Rodgers’ mentorship further compounded the team’s woes, leading to speculation about his future with the Jets.
The season was characterized by dysfunction and internal strife, but despite the turmoil, young prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft still harbor aspirations of playing for the Jets alongside the legendary Aaron Rodgers.
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