Before the New York Jets underwhelming season resulted in the organization parting ways with general manager Joe Douglas, just weeks after firing head coach Robert Saleh, reports projected internal conflict earlier in the season when team owner Woody Johnson offered benching Aaron Rodgers in favor of backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
The decision to fire Douglas comes as the Jets stumble to a 3-8 start, falling far short of preseason expectations. Douglas joined the Jets in 2019 after performing as the Philadelphia Eagles Vice President of Player Personnel and overseeing an important overhaul of the team.
After missing almost all last season due to an injury in the season-opening drive, Rodgers was expected to revitalize the Jets offense. Instead, he has struggled to meet expectations, ranking outside the top 10 in passing yards [2,442] and sitting 24th in the NFL by QBR [51].
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His performance in the Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos, during which Rodgers completed 24 of 42 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns, inspired the meeting. All nine of the Jets’ points came from kicker Greg Zuerlein, as Denver managed just 186 total yards but still emerged victorious.
According to The Athletic, the negative energy surrounding the team escalated after that 10-9 defeat. During a meeting with the coaching staff, Johnson reportedly advised that Rodgers lose his job to Taylor. He allegedly said that the veteran QB’s performance prevented the team from reaching its true potential and, therefore, should be benched – with the “absurd” suggestion leaving the room in a state of shock.
The group ultimately convinced Johnson that benching a four-time MVP just four games into the season would destabilize the locker room and embarrass Rodgers. To ensure Johnson was serious, he was asked multiple times to confirm his take, which he allegedly did numerous times.
Team owner Woody Johnson suggest Rodgers be benched due to performance (
Getty)
After the game and the meeting, New York fell short 23-17 the following week to the then-undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers threw three interceptions in the game, including two in the first quarter, the first time in his 20-year NFL career. Coach Saleh was fired after the loss, and Rodgers took full responsibility for the team’s decision during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“If I play better, this doesn’t happen. When you make a change on the offense, it is a mirror held up for all of us that played. When something like this happens, it is a reset for everybody,” he said.
Since Saleh’s exit, the Jets found victory once in six games under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. New York’s 21-13 win over the Houston Texans required a history-making night for receiver Garrett Wilson, who scored two touchdowns in the game, including making a catch deemed the greatest in NFL history.
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