Joe Namath makes passionate plea to Jets, Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets legend Joe Namath suggested that Jets chairman Woody Johnson and vice chairman Christopher Johnson should step in, if necessary, to stop quarterback Aaron Rodgers from returning to the lineup this season after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on Sept. 11. 

"I hope that Woody and Christopher, if that’s what it takes, say, 'No, you are not, Aaron,'" Namath told Tom Rock of Newsday. "Aaron, being the team guy he is, probably wants to come back and play, but if I was the owner, no. I don’t care. No. We are not going to risk it with the team and the situation the way it is, with the offensive line. What have we got to gain by putting our most valuable player without having played more than a couple of snaps in the games coming up? Save him for next year. Please."

Rodgers, presumably, is committed to playing through next season after he accepted a significant pay cut this past summer, and the future Hall of Famer turns 40 years old on Saturday. The Jets have allowed the third-most sacks (47) in the NFL for the ongoing campaign, and numerous knowledgeable individuals have repeatedly raised concerns regarding Rodgers forcing his way into the lineup before the summer of 2024. Despite all of that, he could play at the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 17 if New York wins back-to-back games to get to 6-7.

Insiders routinely mention that Rodgers essentially is making significant Jets-related decisions behind the scenes. Namath believes Rodgers shouldn't have the final say in this matter. 

"Aaron doesn’t own the team," Namath directly said. "If that’s what it takes, the ownership should say, 'No.' Do you think [Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager] Jerry Jones would let this happen? . . . If it goes that far, I hope Christopher and Woody say, 'No.' Why? Give me a good reason why Aaron, even if he is 100% now, comes back to play the rest of this season. Because he wants to play? Excuse me. If you own the team, you want to see him play for a contender and we are not a contender this year." 

As of Friday afternoon, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the 4-7 Jets a 0.5% chance of making the playoffs. Those Jets will be without Rodgers when they host the 5-6 Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. 

It's unclear if a loss against Atlanta would change or eliminate plans for a potential Rodgers return later this month. While Namath added he will "wish [Rodgers] the best" if the four-time NFL MVP insists on starting before Week 18, "Broadway Joe" is hoping everyone involved will think about what could be for the 2024 edition of the Jets.