Everyone knows that if Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets have a bad year, it will be a good thing for the Green Bay Packers.
As part of last summer’s blockbuster trade, the Packers acquired a 2024 conditional second-round pick from the Jets which will convert into a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the Jets’ snaps in 2023.
Green Bay CEO Mark Murphy recently made some rather contentious comments about this situation as he admitted that he’s hoping the Jets struggle this coming season.
Packers News: James Jones Downplays Mark Murphy’s Comments
Former Packers wide receiver James Jones has spoken out about Murphy’s controversial take, and being that he’s friends with the Green Bay CEO, Jones was quick to play down Murphy’s comments:
“I know Mark,” Jones said. “I got a personal relationship with Mark, man. Mark is a good dude. I don’t think he’s wishing bad on Aaron Rodgers and wanting Aaron Rodgers to get hurt. But I do think he’s saying what everybody wants in Green Bay. Fans, coaches, ownership, whatever.”
Jones, who played alongside Rodgers for no less than eight seasons, believes that Murphy was just being playful with his remarks and that he isn’t actually praying for an Aaron Rodgers injury.
As Jones said, every single person in Green Bay is thinking this. It’s just that it was Murphy who so blatantly said it out loud.
Packers News: James Jones Sends Stern Reminder for Packers CEO
Jones wasn’t letting Murphy off the hook, though. Toward the end of his commentary, the Fox Sports broadcaster had to call out the high-ranking Packers executive for what he deems as unprofessional behavior:
“Listen, sometimes you just gotta go on air,” Jones said. “Mark, you know how to be professional. Go on there (and say), ‘Hey man, listen, I don’t care what happens over there. Whatever happens over there, happens over there. We gone get whatever we get.’ But you can’t come out like that, Mark.”
As Jones said, he has a personal relationship with Murphy. This is probably why he is able to call him out in a somewhat friendly manner on air. It will be very interesting to hear how the Packers exec reacts to this statement as well as to all the backlash he’s been receiving.
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