Former NY Jets HC claims Aaron Rodgers 'doesn't care' about his teammates

Most reasonable football voices weren't particularly surprised or concerned when NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh revealed earlier this month that quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not participate in the team's first two preseason games.

After all, Rodgers didn't play in either of the Jets' first two preseason games in 2023 and numerous teams around the NFL follow a similar strategy with their starting quarterbacks in exhibition games.

It is incredibly normal for teams to sit their starting quarterbacks for most if not all of the preseason, especially when said starting quarterback is 40 years old and coming off a torn Achilles. Again, this is fairly straightforward stuff.

Evidently, former Jets head coach Eric Mangini didn't get the memo. In a recent discussion on FS1's "First Things," Mangini was joined by former NFL wide receiver Greg Jennings to discuss Rodgers' absence from the preseason.

Jennings insisted that Rodgers should play in the preseason this summer, not only to shake off his own potential rust but to benefit the Jets' offense. Mangini strongly agreed, going as far as to call out Rodgers' respect for his teammates.

Eric Mangini believes Aaron Rodgers 'doesn't care' about his NY Jets teammates

Mangini went on to say that Rodgers "doesn’t care about the other 10 guys" and that he only "cares about himself." The ex-Jets head coach compared Rodgers to Tom Brady, suggesting that while Brady is open to ideas that could make him better," Rodgers is just going to do "whatever is best for him."

Mangini went scorched earth on his former team's quarterback, calling him out for a supposed lack of respect for his teammates and his coaching staff. We've heard many NFL analysts take shots at Rodgers in recent years — Mangini's comments were some of the strongest that have been made.

Of course, it's safe to say that those within the Jets' organization would strongly disagree with Mangini's assertion. Rodgers has earned rave reviews from his teammates since arriving in Florham Park, quickly endearing himself to his new team in a way he failed to do during his later years in Green Bay.

Rodgers has done everything to prove that he's all-in on the Jets' organization, showing up for every voluntary event of the offseason in two consecutive years. A pair of missed practices in the middle of June shouldn't overshadow that.

Not to mention, Mangini's assertion that Rodgers "doesn't care" about his teammates because his own coaching staff is making the decision not to play him in the preseason feels like he just has a vendetta against the four-time MVP.

Saleh has already said that Rodgers has been pushing to play at some point this preseason. He wants to be out there — not only for himself but yes, for his teammates.

Mangini is just the latest in a long line of "analysts" to heave unfounded criticism at Rodgers and the Jets. He isn't the first and he certainly won't be the last.

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