Should the New York Jets not play quarterback Aaron Rodgers in preseason? That was the lead question from the ESPN show ‘First Take’ on Wednesday.
The decision to potentially sit Rodgers for all three Jets preseason games is certainly a complicated issue and one that could very well have Week 1 implications for the team.
On Wednesday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh seemed to indicate that Rodgers may not play in preseason.
Following an injury just four offensive snaps into the season opener last year, there is the temptation to wrap Rodgers in bubble wrap and make sure he is as healthy as possible for this season. The decision to potentially shelve Rodgers until the season opener led to a healthy debate between former Jets linebacker Bart Scott and ESPN personality Christoper ‘Mad Dog’ Russo on Wednesday.
Scott cautioned that the opinion expressed by Russo of playing Rodgers in the preseason in order to excite the fanbase isn’t as important as the pragmatic decision of resting Rodgers.
“When you start caring about the feelings of the fans, you become a fan. Robert Saleh understands that this is the last year, they’re all in. Either Aaron Rodgers and this team and this regime have a great season – I’m not just talking about the wild card. They have to win some playoff games and puhs and compete for a Super Bowl or an AFC Championship,” Scott said on ESPN.
“I’m not putting the franchise at risk. I’m going to allow him to continue to get healthy and let this offensive line continue to develop.”
Scott said that the joint practice with the New York Giants during training camp can serve the Jets in terms of getting Rodgers for the season opener at the San Francisco 49ers.
“Everybody can go live but when you get close to our quarterback, ease up. Not ready yet…it’s important for Aaron Rodgers to know that he can withstand a hit but I don’t need to find that out right now. I need to continue to let that muscle to get stronger, that tendon to stretch out – to become more liable and more flexible,” Scott said as part of the ESPN panel.
“The first time he gets hit? It may be by Nick Bosa. That’s fine though because that’s as long as we can push it.”
