The two seasons of Aaron Rodgers with the New York Jets have been a resounding failure. In 2023, it wasn’t his fault as he got injured in the fourth play of the first game, but this 2024, the veteran quarterback, who will turn 41 in a few days, has shown a very poor level to the point that his continuity as a starter for the rest of the season is in doubt.
The Jets have a disappointing record of 3-8 and are virtually eliminated from the playoffs, where they were hoping to qualify for the first time in 14 years under Rodgers' leadership. This crisis has already cost head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas their jobs.
Over the weekend, the New York team had time off, so it was speculated that this would be the right moment for a change, an amplified version upon learning that Rodgers "has resisted undergoing exams, as he does not want to reveal the severity of his injuries for fear of having to leave the field," according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
But this Monday, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich confirmed that A-Rod will be the starter next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Does Aaron Rodgers want to stay with the Jets?
With question marks about who will be the next general manager and the next coach, more contradictory versions about owner Woody Johnson's relationship with Rodgers, everything seems to indicate that the veteran quarterback who managed to win a Super Bowl with the Packers in the 2010 season has his days numbered with the Jets.
This Tuesday, Rodgers made his weekly appearance on ESPN's "Pat McAfee Show" and surprised many with his statements by saying that the Jets are at the top of his list in case he continues playing: "I don't even know if I want to play yet, but New York would be my first choice."
In any case, he clarified that "when you approach 41, obviously you are at the end of your career, so obviously, if it's New York, they have to want me here, and then the new general manager, the new staff, everyone has to want me... and then, at the physical level, I have to see how I feel and if I want to return to the routine.
Aaron Rodgers also referred to his relationship with the Jets medical staff by saying, "Regarding the scan, I've been doing this for 20 years and I know my body better than anyone. Secondly, I have an excellent relationship with the doctors and we had many great conversations where they diagnosed what was happening to me and I told them how I felt, and we discussed the possibilities of playing and rehabilitating."
Can the 49ers still save the season?
QB Brock Purdy missed the first game of his career due to injury and the 49ers fell 38-10 to the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara. As a result, the San Francisco team is now in last place in the NFC West Division, a position that was unthinkable for one of the top contenders to win the NFC this season.
But injuries have been devastating for the 49ers: RB Christian McCaffrey (best offensive player of 2023) just made his debut two weeks ago; WR Brandon Aiyuk is out for the entire season; WR Deebo Samuel missed a game; tight end George Kittle missed two games, and defensive end Nick Bosa also didn't play against the Packers.
The good thing for San Francisco is that with a record of 5-6, nothing is lost, since the division leaders, the Seattle Seahawks, have a record of 6-5.
The bad news for the 49ers is that Purdy, although he has returned to training, has not yet fully recovered from his right shoulder injury and could also miss the very tough game against the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday night.
John maintained a perfect record in the “Harbaugh Bowl”
Jim and John Harbaugh faced each other on Monday Night Football for the third time in their NFL coaching careers.
The other duels were victories for John: in 2011 and in Super Bowl LVII, on both occasions the Ravens over the 49ers.
John is still in charge of the Baltimore team, while Jim returned to the league with the Chargers after long seasons with Michigan, including a national title, at the college level.
And this Monday night, John Harbaugh maintained his "dominance" over his brother Jim with the Ravens' 30-23 victory over the Chargers, in a match held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The brothers shared a quick hug and handshake in the center of the field after the game.