Hilarious ESPN graphic shows why NY Jets badly needed Aaron Rodgers
By Mike Luciano
![NY Jets, Aaron Rodgers NY Jets, Aaron Rodgers](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3819,h_2148,x_0,y_494/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/30/01h8fcyy4fhpypjze6nf.jpg)
The NY Jets have as bad a run of quarterback play as any team in the league during their playoff drought. Only the Cleveland Browns can claim to have the same level of poor quarterback play in the last few decades, and the results have shown up on the field.
In order to both reverse that trend and make sure that a young roster is given the chance to compete for a championship, the Jets decided to demote former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson to the backup quarterback role and trade for a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, who is already planning a multi-year future with the Jets, could help wash away a decade of poor quarterback play. Gone are the days of watching Bryce Petty, Matt Simms, and Luke Falk. Instead, Rodgers is going to challenge all sorts of Jets records.
In Jets franchise history, all of their quarterbacks have combined for one 4,000-yard season, one season with 30 or more passing touchdowns, and one first-team All-Pro selection. Any year where Rodgers doesn't put up those figures all at once is considered a big disappointment.
It’s very obvious to see why #Jets fans are on cloud 9 with Aaron Rodgers…
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 22, 2023
This graphic encapsulates it perfectly 😂 pic.twitter.com/2r2NvZRJXx
Aaron Rodgers could set records for the NY Jets
The 4,000-yard season came courtesy of Hall of Famer quarterback Joe Namath, who threw for precisely 4,007 yards way back in 1967. Even with a 17-game schedule compared to a 14-game one from Namath's bygone era, no Jet has reached this mark since.
Namath's line first-team selection (well, technically, All-AFL) in 1968 came when he completed just 49% of his passes, threw for just 15 touchdowns, and tossed 17 interceptions. In other words, Namath had an average Jets quarterback season over the last five years.
The 30 touchdowns? Ryan Fitzpatrick in the first year of the Todd Bowles era before the decline.
Rodgers has all the tools at his disposal to rewrite the Jets' record books. Not only does he have an offense he is familiar with and one of the best backfields in the game, but he also has an elite emerging wide receiver in Garrett Wilson, who can stretch the field and get open on third down.
The Jets are taking a big swing that could end up coming back to bite them in the butt if they fail, but such a move was needed for a team that has been stuck in quarterback hell for longer than any franchise deserves. 4,000 yards might be within reach for Rodgers and his new offense this season.
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