Julian Edelman makes massive U-Turn on Aaron Rodgers, Jets after strong 2-1 start

Expecting former New England Patriots to give the New York Jets any shred of credit after a hot start is like expecting blood from a stone. As such, it should have surprised no one when former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman planted his feet as a firm critic of Aaron Rodgers in the preseason.

Edelman acted like Rodgers, who has played 20 years in the league, skipping a few days of minicamp was so harmful that it threatened to tear the Jets apart at the seams. Appearances on shows with like-minded talking heads helped this ridiculous narrative start to gain some steam nationally.

Edelman is singing a much different tune after the Jets started off 2-1, squeaking by the Tennessee Titans and thoroughly dismantling the Patriots in primetime on Thursday Night Football. Rodgers has been spectacular, which has been enough for Edelman to completely flip on his original narrative.

“I have to give a shoutout and give my flowers to the New York Jets," Edelman said via NFL on FOX, "[Thursday Night] was the first time I ever – I ever – saw hope in the crowd’s eyes, and they had a reason to have it because Aaron Rodgers was like Aaron Rodgers of the past.” Imagine if he went to minicamp!

Julian Edelman eats crow, reverses stance on Aaron Rodgers and NY Jets

Rodgers has completed 67% of his passes for 624 yards while tossing five touchdowns and one interception, which wasn't even 100% his fault. Rodgers also was moving around more than he had previously in the New England game, showing more comfort after his Achilles injury.

The difference between last year's offense and this season's attack has been night and day. Even outside of the Rodgers upgrade over Zach Wilson, new additions like Tyron Smith and John Simpson have played a huge part in turning around the offensive line almost overnight,

Rodgers is who will ultimately determine how far the Jets go this season, but the role players have been stepping up. Will McDonald has five sacks in three games, Breece Hall and Braelon Allen have emerged as a tremendous 1-2 backfield punch, and secondary pass-catching options are emerging.