Aaron Rodgers’ latest excuse for Jets failure might be his worst yet

Aaron Rodgers has never been known to be shy about speaking his mind, especially when it comes to his former teams. His latest comments, however, about the New York Jets might be his most embarrassing yet.

The future Hall of Famer, now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, supposedly spent 25 minutes venting to former NFL lineman Mark Schlereth about the Jets' offensive struggles during his short-lived tenure in Florham Park.

According to Schlereth on a recent episode of the Stinkin’ Truth Podcast, Rodgers explained that his primary issue was with the team’s run game, which he apparently called abysmal, both in execution and in design.

This is, of course, despite the fact that the Jets gave Rodgers just about everything he asked for when he arrived in 2023. From coaches to teammates to full control at the line of scrimmage, the organization bent over backward to make him feel comfortable. Still, that hasn't stopped him from pointing fingers.

"Aaron and I had a conversation about when he was with the Jets, how abysmal their running game was, and how schematically it made no sense. I started the conversation, and then Aaron went on for about a 25-minute diatribe on just their run game."

Mark Schlereth

Aaron Rodgers refuses to take accountability for his Jets struggles

Rodgers’ Jets tenure will be remembered as one of the most disappointing eras in franchise history. His 2023 season ended after just four snaps due to a torn Achilles, and while he returned in 2024 and started all 17 games, the results were underwhelming.

The Jets' offense sputtered, finishing near the bottom of the league in most major categories, and Rodgers’ presence ultimately couldn’t prevent another lost season.

It’s not as if the organization didn’t try to make it work. The Jets essentially handed Rodgers the keys when they traded for him. They hired his close personal friend, Nathaniel Hackett, to be their offensive coordinator, despite his disastrous run as Denver’s head coach.

They brought in familiar faces from Green Bay like Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and even Billy Turner. And they gave Rodgers total freedom at the line of scrimmage. This was his offense, his system, and his operation. It was the Rodgers show through and through.

That’s what makes these recent comments so ridiculous. Yes, the Jets’ run game was broken in 2024. Hackett was in over his head, and former offensive line coach/run game coordinator Keith Carter was hated by players and fans alike.

But it was Rodgers who prevented the Jets from demoting Hackett sooner. It was Rodgers who had the autonomy to change plays at will, and the Jets ran the ball fewer times than any team in the NFL. That was a Rodgers decision.

Maybe he didn’t trust Carter’s vision (fair!). Maybe he saw the writing on the wall. But to now place the blame elsewhere, without acknowledging his own role in the offensive struggles, is silly.

Rodgers isn’t necessarily wrong in what he said, but it’s a classic case of right message, wrong messenger. The lack of accountability is frustrating, even if expected.

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