Eric Mangini isn’t a big fan of Aaron Rodgers sitting in preseason or the message that it sends to his teammates on the New York Jets.
In a discussion this on the FS1 show ‘First Things,’ Mangini joined a panel discussion that included former NFL star Greg Jennings. Mangini coached the Jets from 2006-08.
The discussion topic, on whether Rodgers should play in preseason, turned to last week’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders. Rodgers didn’t play in that practice, with head coach Robert Saleh saying that his start quarterback was held back due to heavy rain.
Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1 last year, did not play in the preseason opener on Saturday either.
Jennings said that he thinks Rodgers should play in preseason, not just for his own sharpness but to benefit the rest of the offense with getting some snaps that have meaning. Mangini built on that point from Jennings, saying that “The thing that you’re talking about is the greater good.”
Then, things escalated quickly.
“And he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care about the other 10 guys,” Mangini said.
“He cares about himself. And with Tom Brady, Tom was coachable, Tom wanted to be coached, and even though Tom was the greatest at that position, he was open to ideas that could make him better. But for Aaron, he’s just going to do whatever he wants to do, whatever is best for him – you other 10 guys, it’s not good for you, not good for the coaching staff, not good for anybody else. It doesn’t matter, because it’s just about him.”
Rodgers on Tuesday said he was uncertain on if he would participate in this weekend’s preseason game at the Carolina Panthers.
.@GregJennings says Aaron Rodgers NEEDS to play in the Jets preseason 👀 pic.twitter.com/7AByKNTkLm
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) August 13, 2024
He did say he was making progress in his recovery.
