Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday he feels partly reponsible for Zach Wilson’s struggles this year, but he still feels the young quarterback has a “bright future” in the NFL.
In his weekly appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ Rodgers talked at length about the New York Jets’ decision to bench Zach Wilson. Tim Boyle will get the start against the Miami Dolphins Friday, with Trevor Siemian as the backup.
Wilson took over for Rodgers after the four-time MVP tore his Achilles early in the season opener, and the third-year QB struggled. Rodgers said it’s wrong to solely blame Wilson for the team’s offensive woes.
“I love Zach, Zach’s such a great kid,” Rodgers said. “I do think he still has a bright future in the league.
“This has been a tough go for all of us. A lot of times in these situations there’s certain guys they’ve got to scapegoat. I think there’s enough blame to go around at a number of different positions. If you have 10 guys doing it right on a play and one guy not, it’s hard to be efficient.”
Rodgers said Wilson could have benefitted this season learning the game from the former Green Bay Packers star.
“This was obviously not the way any of us thought this was going to go down,” Rodgers said. “It was going to be me and my show, and Zach getting to learn and watch it … and not have the pressure to go out there and play.
“I have some personal guilt around the whole thing, I’m pissed that I wasn’t able to play … If I was out there and playing well, I feel there would be different narratives around our team and Zach would again have the opportunity to learn and grow … without the pressure on him.
“I’m disappointed and sad about that, but it is what it is.”
The Jets have lost three in a row and are now 4-6. Rodgers said the team is rallying behind Boyle as he takes over as QB1.
“We’re all going to support Tim and move forward, but we’re also going to put our arms around Zach and love on him because he’s a great kid, and it’s not all his fault,” Rodgers said.
"I love Zach Wilson and he's a great kid..
I have some personal guilt around the whole thing and I'm frustrated that I haven't been able to play..
Zach would've had the opportunity to learn and grow without the pressure on him this season" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/GxRQtIDwfp
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 21, 2023
[The Pat McAfee Show]
