What Went Wrong in Aaron Rodgers’ Jets Tenure?

While the Jets needed another receiver to complement budding star Garrett Wilson, Lazard was not the way to go. He had never eclipsed the 800-yard mark in Green Bay, as drop issues and a lack of separation plagued his tenure.

Simply, he was signed to please Rodgers. The two had excellent chemistry together in Green Bay and were close friends off the field, so Rodgers needed a buddy to accompany him in the Big Apple.

As many expected, the signing has flopped. Lazard has totaled fewer than 850 yards in 26 games as a Jet and had an alarmingly high 17.9% drop rate in 2023. Rodgers may have been happy to play football with his friend again, but Jets fans sure weren’t. 

Throughout the 2023 offseason, the additions of  “friendship” continued. The Jets added various former Packers, including Randall Cobb, Billy Turner, Adrian Amos, Nathaniel Hackett, and, worst of all, Tim Boyle. 

The signing that truly ruffled feathers was Boyle. Even as a third-string quarterback behind Zach Wilson, there’s no justification to sign someone with a 1:13 TD-to-INT ratio in college. No, that’s not a typo. 

Rodgers and Boyle played together under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay. Boyle was thrust into action in New York following Rodgers’ injury and Wilson’s struggles in November 2023.

Boyle tossed four interceptions over three games without a win. On Black Friday against the Dolphins, he even threw a 99-yard pick-six to safety Jevon Holland. While this moment encapsulates the Jets franchise in recent years, it also traces back to Rodgers’ influence. Boyle likely wouldn’t have been signed otherwise.

2. Poor late-game execution

In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers was the master of the Hail Mary. From his 61-yard bomb to Richard Rodgers to stun the Lions in 2015 to his throws against the Cardinals in the playoffs, his highlight reel has it all. 

Rodgers’ late-game success in Green Bay didn’t translate to New York, however. Between poor clock management and limited mobility, he often folded late in games under pressure. The Jets were just 3-7 in one-possession games in 2024.

If New York had won all of its one-score games, it would’ve finished 12-5. Even if the team had just won four, it would be in contention for a wildcard spot at 9-8. 

After the Jets were down 17-0 to the Vikings in a Week 5 London clash, a strong second half catapulted them right back into the game. With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, New York was only down 23-17. 

Driving in Minnesota territory with 0:49 to go, Rodgers dropped back and delivered a fifty-fifty ball intended for Mike Williams. The pass was severely underthrown, putting Stephon Gilmore in the perfect place to snag a game-sealing interception. Williams doesn’t have the same jump-ball ability he possessed with the Chargers, but the lack of communication between the two was alarming.

Déjà vu struck again the following week against the Bills, as Rodgers was intercepted on a deep pass for Williams in the fourth quarter yet again. Williams slipped on the play, but the pass was already underthrown, marking another clear miscommunication.

What was once a promising season at 2-1 quickly went south with horrific late-game execution in back-to-back weeks. These losses were uncharacteristic for Rodgers, given his late-game mastery in Green Bay, but quickly became the new norm for the Jets.

Final Thoughts

From darkness retreats to Egypt shenanigans, it’s safe to say that the Rodgers experiment in New York failed. While the 41-year-old’s future is uncertain, what can’t be denied is that Aaron Rodgers was detrimental to the team during his two-year stint.