When healthy, Aaron Rodgers is the kind of Hall-of-Fame quarterback that can lead the New York Jets to their first run of true title contention in decades.
Boy, is New York finding out the kind of distractions that come from him off the field, though.
Two days into the start of free agency, the four-time NFL MVP has been named on the shortlist to be Robert F. Kennedy's running mate on the independent ticket for the 2024 Presidential election. Rodgers has reportedly talking to Kennedy "pretty continuously" over the last month even if an offer has not been formally made.
While Rodgers has not publicly commented on his desire to enter the political world, the latest news will be a further distraction to a team looking to improve on their 2024 standing. Should Rodgers decide to run for Vice President behind Kennedy, his playing days could well be considered over at the very least.
Rodgers, however, has openly stated his desire to play multiple more seasons with the Jets as early as last week. New York has not publicly commented on the potential for the quarterback to leave, but it's still unlikely - especially when considering how hard Rodgers worked to return from a torn Achilles during the 2023 season.
The latest news does nothing to mock the Jets, though.
Rodgers made it a point later in the year to demand the locker room, filled with anonymous sources of frustration and finger-pointing, to "flush the bull---, and "focus on winning."
We wouldn't call the latest report from the New York Times focusing on winning when it comes to Rodgers.
At 40 years old, the Jets have done everything to give Rodgers the keys to their kingdom at 1 Jets Drive. He's stated he wants to help the organization sign free agents and would be working out with players in the offseason as he recovers from his Achilles injury. All of that is great.
But the downside to having Rodgers as the starting quarterback is the fact these small projects and sidebar comments will be following the organization throughout the year. The latest of which will bring unnecessary concern surrounding the Jets leadership group in general.
If Rodgers wants the organization to get down to business and
"cut out the unnecessary stuff," perhaps he should look in the mirror and take his own words to heart.
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