Aaron Rodgers says he wants the Jets to “not point fingers” after heated exchanges during loss to Patriots.
Aaron Rodgers won’t be playing for the New York Jets again this season (we think), but he seems perfectly willing to continue coaching them.
The four-time MVP, who was sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon, had some pointed advice for his teammates during his regular appearance on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” Two days after two of his younger teammates were caught on camera airing their grievances with the Jets’ coaching staff during a 15-10 loss to the New England Patriots.
Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson He was seen making a lively comment towards quarterback Zach Wilson and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, while running back Michael Carter ranted running backs coach Taylor Embreeto the point that teammate Xavier Gipson had to hold him back.
Rodgers didn’t seem happy about the situation:
“This is what teams have to go through. Every season there are problems. This year it’s happening early and people are coming for us. There are some heated conversations on the sidelines and various things. I think we need to keep our composure a little better across the board. Really just offensively, we have to stop some of those things from happening on the sideline and we have to be a little better and just be a little better competitors.”
“There were too many little side conversations and we just need to grow up a little bit on offense, hold on and do our job, everyone, and not point fingers. We don’t point fingers at the coaching staff, don’t point fingers. “Just get back to work and get the job done… I feel like if I was there some of these things wouldn’t be happening.”
It’s not exactly surprising that the Jets are frustrated. They entered the season as clear Super Bowl contenders after adding Rodgers to a roster that looked playoff-bound at every position except quarterback. The dream fell apart on the team’s fourth offensive attack of the season when Rodgers tore ligaments on an awkward sack.
The injury led to the Jets having Wilson at center again, and another year hasn’t eased the criticism of the former No. 2 overall pick. The loudest voice may be Jets star Joe Namath, who attacked the passer in an interview and on social media this week over the Patriots’ loss.
Again, Rodgers seemed to wish everyone could calm down. Or RELAX:
“How do we react when we don’t succeed? How do we respond to adversity? And that also applies to our fan base and former players,” said Rodgers. “You’re not helping the cause.
“I want everyone to stick together – our fan base, our former players and our current players, because there is too much negativity and the world is falling apart after three weeks.” [It’s] A long season, a lot of time, a lot of things that can happen. So, let’s just take a few breaths, okay? I won’t say we need to relax. Let’s take a few breaths.
The Jets, for their part, may not be so calm as they have reportedly signed veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian. With games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles representing two of their next three meetings, things will likely get worse before they get better.
