Aaron Rodgers proves he runs the NY Jets after troubling injury update

There has been a narrative since Aaron Rodgers joined the NY Jets in the spring of 2023 that he's essentially the one who has been running the organization. From roster moves to personnel decisions, Rodgers has frequently had a say in the Jets' decision-making process.

Still, much of that narrative has been overblown. Those placing blame directly on Rodgers for the departures of Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas are simply narrative hunting and not looking for actual factual evidence.

Rodgers doesn't "run" the Jets as much as the national media would like many to believe. That said, the latest report detailing his ongoing medical issues certainly lends credence to that portrayal.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Rodgers has been refusing to undergo medical scans because he doesn't want "to reveal the severity of his injuries out of fear of having to come off the field."

The Jets are allowing Rodgers to avoid medical scans in an attempt to hide his current injuries. That certainly doesn't hurt the narrative that he runs the team.

NY Jets allowing Aaron Rodgers to refuse medical scans is an awful look

Rodgers has been dealing with injuries to both knees, his hamstring, and his ankle for much of the season, and the belief is that those injuries are more significant than the four-time MVP has led on.

The hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos is reportedly believed to be a "particularly significant one," but Rodgers has refused to do additional scanning and continues to insist on playing. When asked about the injury, Rodgers has simply told team members, "I'm playing."

While it's admirable that Rodgers has been playing through injuries, it's clearly affected his performance on the field. The 40-year-old is on pace for a career-worst season and has looked like a shell of his former self for much of the year.

It also points to larger issues within the Jets organization. A player is openly refusing medical exams to avoid revealing the true extent of their injuries. That's an organizational failure in accountability. It details a culture in which a star’s influence can override basic protocols meant to protect players.

Rodgers may not be making the day-to-day roster decisions that many casual fans around the league believe he is, but this right here is proof that he has the power to overrule essentially everyone if he pleases.

It's also proof that the current version of the 2024 New York Jets is the Wild West. It's less so that Rodgers is running the show and more so that, well, nobody is running the show. Everyone is checked out and ready for the season to end.

The Jets are allowing Aaron Rodgers to walk all over them as his parting gift to the franchise. They're allowing him to dictate the rules, sidestep medical protocols, and undermine the team’s organizational structure. Nothing emphasizes the team's dysfunctional despair than this situation.

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