Aaron Rodgers wasted no time addressing the recent reports about Zach Wilson’s reluctance to return as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets.
According to The Athletic, the Jets were considering returning to Wilson after two subpar starts from Tim Boyle, who was released on Tuesday. However, Wilson was reportedly hesitant to step back into the starting role due to the risk of injury associated with playing behind the team’s makeshift offensive line. Additionally, this is the third time the coaching staff has benched him, which may have contributed to his reluctance.
During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the 40-year-old quarterback used his platform to criticize what he perceived as an attempt to tarnish Wilson’s character.
“When you use sources and, whether intentional or unintentional try to assassinate someone’s character like that report does for Zach, I have a real hard time with that,” Rodgers said. “You’re basically saying that this kid is quitting on the team, doesn’t want to play, and is giving the middle finger to the organization.”
Rodgers admitted that he had a problem with the reporting — done by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt — in addition to the sourcing that likely came inside the confines of One Jets Drive.
“What is your impetus? What is your motivation to try and bury someone like that?” Rodgers said. “And that’s a problem with the organization. You know, we need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it privately because there’s no place in a winning culture where — and this is not the only time. There’s been a bunch of other leaks.”
Rodgers is beginning to understand why the New York Jets have been such a dysfunctional organization, regardless of who is in charge of the team. Although he has contributed to the problem by bringing some of his baggage from Green Bay, it is unlikely that anyone expected the Jets to go through four quarterbacks and have a 4-8 record at this point in the season.
“I think it’s chicken**** at its core, and I think it has no place in a winning organization,” Rodgers said.
And that’s likely why the Jets have the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports.
[PFT]
