The New York Jets missed out on a golden opportunity to elevate themselves into the AFC East race by falling to the Buffalo Bills, 23-20, on Monday Night Football. They squandered several chances to get the biggest win of Aaron Rodgers's disappointing tenure, including two errant field goal attempts by Greg Zuerlein and a late, underthrown interception by Rodgers.
Those data points were brought up by the quarterback postgame—as well as his feeling that Mike Williams ran the wrong route on the fateful turnover.
#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers called this #Bills game a ‘golden opportunity’ that they blew.
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) October 15, 2024
‘Some games you win in the #NFL, some games you give away. This was a give away.’
‘Terrible in the red zone. Missed two field goals.’ + ‘plenty of chances’ + ‘disappointing.’
🎥 @nyjets… pic.twitter.com/8uP7DOXfgs
.@Connor_J_Hughes asked #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers about the interception he threw on the pass to Mike Williams.
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) October 15, 2024
He seemed to get pretty frustrated because Williams ran the wrong route. 😳
🎥 @nyjets #JetUp https://t.co/Dt2byyz3HE pic.twitter.com/KJYTBThj5y
These comments seem fair. The Jets are trying to make the playoffs and ultimately win a Super Bowl. Rodgers's window is not going to be open for too much longer. Kickers know they need to make kicks and wideouts know the importance of running the correct route. It's not typical for a quarterback to speak so candidly after a loss but Rodgers is anything but typical. Throw in all the palace intrigue that comes with playing the first game after Robert Saleh was dismissed and the media availability was mildly spicy.
Predictably, for yet another week, the leadership qualities of the Jets' most important player are being dissected and, more often than not, found wanting. Last time it was Ryan Clark saying Rodgers was "devoid" of the quality. This morning Unsportsmanlike Radio's Evan Cohen got a similar conversation going, wondering if honesty is always the best quality.
Why don't players buy into Aaron Rodgers as a leader?@EvCoRadio reacts to Aaron Rodgers' post game comments. pic.twitter.com/SfO5rQRCos
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) October 15, 2024
It's an intriguing argument but the Jets would be 2-4 and in big trouble even if Rodgers put on a masterclass of deflecting all blame in his direction. They would still be 2-4 if he performatively fell on his sword. They will still be 2-4 after whatever he says on Pat McAfee's show today.
If there is a bright spot, the Jets played 60 competitive minutes against a very good football team. The offense also looked pretty good outside of the red-zone struggles. Winning cures all ails and can stop a narrative moment. Rodgers will get another chance to change the conversation when he tangles with the Pittsburgh Steelers in primetime on Sunday.
More of the Latest from Around the NFL
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Aaron Rodgers's Lack of Leadership Yet Again a Topic After Brutal Jets Loss.
