Aug 12, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) behind Robert Saleh on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Preseason-New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
(Florham Park, NJ) – It’s gotta be a helpless feeling for Aaron Rodgers, as he watches his new team struggle following his injuries.
And when it comes to helpless feelings, Jets fans know all about it. But Rodgers is at least using his status, influence, and audience to call out some stuff he’s seen from his teammates while recovering from his Achilles tendon injury.
During his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers called out Gang Green’s sideline antics.
TV cameras spotted running back Michael Carter getting into it with his position coach, while WR Garrett Wilson angrily gestured toward an iPad being held by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Rodgers feels that, “this is what teams have to go through. There’s adversity points in every season. This year it’s happening early and people are coming for us and there are some heated conversations on the sideline and different things.”
It was an especially frustrating defeat on Sunday when the Jets fell to New England 15 to 10, their 15th straight loss against the Patriots.
But Rodgers doesn’t see that as an excuse, going on to say: “There’s been too many little side conversations and we just need to grow up a little bit on offense and lock in and do our jobs. Everybody. And not point fingers at each other. That’s everybody. Don’t point fingers at the coaching staff. Don’t point fingers at each other. Just get back to work and get the job done. It’s more the side stuff that I don’t like and I want to see us stick together through the tough times.”
If the team is able to do that, they’ll improve their chances against the Kansas City Chiefs. That said, when Pat Mahomes comes to town, the gap between your starting QB and the opposition is likely to be significant.
With Zach Wilson continuing to struggle, that’s gap is more like a yawning chasm ahead of this weekend.
