In the 2022 offseason, the New York Jets acquired the controversial quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Many speculated that they would contend for the AFC East division title and be serious playoff contenders. Jets fans were crushed after only four snaps in week 1 of 2023 when Aaron Rodgers fell victim to an Achilles tear, missing the rest of the 2023 season. This offseason, the Jets have acquired multiple free agents to go all-in on a deep playoff run, raising the hopes of their fanbase. Unfortunately, the New York Jets are once again set up for failure.
Aaron Rodgers is No Longer Elite.
Aaron Rodgers is a Hall of Famer with an excellent resume, boasting multiple MVPs and a Super Bowl title. However, in the NFL, it’s about what you’ve done lately, and in Rodgers’s case with the Jets, that is virtually nothing. In 2022, his last year with the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers threw for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. For most, this would be considered a pedestrian season for any quarterback, let alone the legendary Aaron Rodgers. After missing all of 2023 with the same injury that has ended multiple quarterbacks’ careers, it is unlikely the 40-year-old signal caller returns to MVP form in 2024. It is more likely we see him take a big step back statistically.
The New York Jets Are Selling Out.
The New York Jets had a historic 2022 draft, acquiring CB Sauce Gardner, RB Breece Hall, and Edge Rusher Jermaine Johnson, all showing potential to be All-Pro level players. Instead of building around this young core and continuing to develop and draft young talent, the New York Jets have decided to go all-in on immediate success. Bringing in Rodgers, who at best has two years of quality football remaining, and pandering to his demands, leading to some saying he is the shadow GM. Their most recent free agent signings include the 29-year-old injury-prone wide receiver Mike Williams and 33-year-old All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith, who also has an injury history. Although anecdotal evidence, MetLife Stadium is not the most player-friendly field to play on, hosting multiple season-ending injuries on the artificial turf over the past few years.
Circumstances Matter.
If the New York Jets were in an easy division where they could walk to a home playoff game like the NFC South, then the idea of them being a playoff team and even making a run would be a little more plausible. But the Jets are in one of the most competitive divisions in the loaded AFC. The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East multiple years in a row, with the Miami Dolphins vying for the title each season. Both are competitive and talented playoff teams. Winning the division for the New York Jets will not be easy, and securing a playoff spot, even as a wild card, will be a tall task with teams like Joe Burrow’s Bengals, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens, and the always-dominant Kansas City Chiefs all in the same conference.
The New York Jets are once again staring down the barrel of a disappointing and underwhelming season. If everything goes perfectly and their older stars stay healthy, and Aaron Rodgers plays well, they could secure a wildcard spot. In which case, they’d be facing a higher seed with a comparable roster and most likely a younger and just as talented quarterback. A first-round exit is the ceiling for the 2024 New York Jets and missing the playoffs all together is very possible with a just few unfortunate injuries.
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