NY Jets news: Aaron Rodgers eats pie, Connor McGovern is back, former coach retires

The 2024 season has quite possibly been the most challenging stretch of Aaron Rodgers' storied career. Rodgers and the NY Jets entered the year with Super Bowl expectations, but through 10 games, they find themselves closer to the first overall pick than a playoff spot.

Rodgers spoke about his difficulties this season during his regularly scheduled appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. The four-time MVP insisted there have been "a lot of pies to be eaten around here this year, flavored humble."

Rodgers did continue to offer a positive message, stating the Jets need to "hold on to that beautiful thing in life called hope," but the optimism rings hollow with the Jets losers of six of their last seven games.

He's right about one thing, though. Rodgers and the Jets have been forced to eat their share of humble pie this year in what has been one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

Other NY Jets news:

Jets claim Connor McGovern off waivers

The Jets reunited with a familiar face on Tuesday, claiming veteran offensive lineman Connor McGovern off waivers. McGovern was signed to the Jets' practice squad in September before being poached by the New Orleans Saints a few weeks later.

The eight-year veteran started five games for the injury-riddled Saints after being signed off the Jets' practice squad, posting a below-average 58.9 Pro Football Focus grade. Since it's past the trade deadline, vested veterans are subject to waivers, which is why the Jets were able to claim him.

McGovern spent four years as the Jets' primary starting center from 2020-2023. He gives the Jets much-needed interior offensive line depth after a slew of injuries at the position.

The Jets only had 52 players on their active roster, so they did not need to make a corresponding move to claim McGovern. He joins Alec Lindstrom and Jake Hanson (currently injured) as backup interior linemen on the 53-man roster.

Mike Westhoff steps away from football

Longtime Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff has stepped down from his role as the Denver Broncos assistant head coach "to monitor a potential health issue," per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Westhoff reportedly "experienced problems related to his vision last week," and after consulting with doctors and Broncos head coach Sean Payton, he made the difficult decision to step away from football to focus on his health.

Westhoff spent over a decade with the Jets between 2001 and 2012, garnering a reputation as one of the best special teams coordinators in the NFL. He initially retired following the 2012 season before returning to the coaching world to join Payton as the special teams coach of the New Orleans Saints in 2017.

Payton recruited Westhoff to join him in Denver in 2023 after another five-year hiatus from coaching. We want to wish Westhoff all the best with his health moving forward.