Did Aaron Rodgers just call it quits on the Jets? (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers pulled himself out of Sunday’s blowout loss against the Bills, and it’s not sitting well with former Jets star Keyshawn Johnson. On FS1’s Speak, Johnson unloaded on the four-time MVP, accusing him of bailing on his team when things got tough.
“You decide to take your ball and go home because you wasn’t getting your way,” Johnson said. The Jets were down 33-0, and according to Rodgers, he suggested to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich that backup Tyrod Taylor should take over. By the time Taylor stepped in, the Bills had made it 40-0. Taylor led two late touchdowns, but it was meaningless cleanup work in an already disastrous game.
For Johnson, Rodgers’ move was unforgivable. “What the hell is wrong with Aaron Rodgers?” Johnson continued. “You quit on your team, man.”
Was this whole barrage about just one unfortunate circumstance that could have been avoided? No, not really. To Keyshawn, it felt symbolic. Johnson compared Rodgers to San Francisco linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who refused to play earlier this season. While others on the panel argued that staying on the sideline wasn’t the same as walking off the field, Johnson didn’t budge. “He checked out,” Johnson said. “It’s the same thing. You don’t leave your team hanging like that.”
Does Rodgers even want to be in New York anymore?
This is not about one game, it was never about that. This loss dropped the Jets to 4-12, a season already torched by turmoil, including the firing of head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. Rodgers had hyped up the last two weeks as an “audition” for next year, calling them critical despite the Jets being eliminated from playoff contention. Then… this.
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After the game, Rodgers wasn’t exactly reassuring. “I’m going to enjoy next week and then take some mental and physical rest,” he told reporters. Not exactly the words of someone ready to lead a rebuild.
Is it time for the Jets to move on?
Keyshawn Johnson thinks so. “I thought he was on a mission to convince them he should come back,” Johnson said. “Based on what he did yesterday, I don’t want to be nowhere near him.”
The Jets took a swing by bringing in Rodgers, banking on his leadership to change the franchise’s fortunes. Instead, they’ve got a 41-year-old QB whose actions—and interceptions—are raising more questions than answers. Whether Rodgers stays or goes, the Jets’ offseason is going to be messy. Again.
