In some ways, the New York Jets’ 2023 season ended the way it began. During New York’s first offensive practice of the season on September 11, its new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, suffered a torn Achilles tendon. The Jets struggled to replace him and started three different quarterbacks as they finished with a 7-10 record and the second-worst offense in the league (268.6 total yards per game).
The Jets entered the year with Super Bowl aspirations, but instead recorded their eighth straight losing season. On Monday, Rodgers was asked what can be learned from the 2023 campaign, and he offered an interesting answer.
“Everything we do in this building that has nothing to do with winning needs to be evaluated,” Rodgers said. via Athletics. “Everything we do has to have a purpose…shit that has nothing to do with winning has to get out of the building.”
As for what Rodgers is referring to with these supposed distractions, it’s probably more than one thing. But Rodgers lamented the leaks that have occurred repeatedly out of the Jets building this season. For example, Athleticism reported last month that the Jets were leaning toward returning Zach Wilson at center, but that he was reluctant to return due to injury risk. Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Rodgers have denied the report.
“What’s your motivation for trying to bury someone like that? And that’s a problem with the organization, we need to get to the bottom of this and put a stop to it privately,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee. Show.” “I think it’s basic chicken shit and I think it has no place in a winning organization.”
Unwanted noise is amplified when teams lose more than they win, and we saw that happen with the Jets this season. When Rodgers returns to center next year, he will have the opportunity to implement the type of culture he wants for New York.