Injured New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers just inserted himself in the organization-wide drama involving Zach Wilson.
Making his weekly appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers blasted the Jets’ organization for recent leaks suggesting that Wilson has turned down an opportunity to return as the team’s starting quarterback.
“That’s a problem with the organization. We need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it privately, because there’s no place in a winning culture where — and this isn’t the only time. There’s been a bunch of other leaks.”
Aaron Rodgers on alleged leaks from the Jets’ organization
It was earlier this week that Dianna Russini and Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic reported that the Jets were looking to turn back to Wilson as their starter after the failed Tim Boyle experiment. The report indicated that Wilson was hesitant to “step back into that role.”
Jets head coach Robert Saleh has since pushed back against this report.
“If he was reluctant to play, he wouldn’t be here,” Saleh said of Wilson. “The young man wants the ball.”
Since all of this drama earlier in the week, New York released Boyle and signed Brett Rypien off the street. Boyle was ultimately replaced under center in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons by veteran Trevor Siemian.
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Aaron Rodgers lashes out at New York Jets amid potential return
All of this comes with Rodgers eyeing a Dec. 24 return from the torn Achilles he suffered four snaps into his Jets career back in Week 1. It wlso comes with the future Hall of Famer not holding back in his criticism of the organization.
“I think it’s chicken s— at its core, and I think it has no place at a winning organization,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers is no stranger to drama. He forced his way from the Green Bay Packers after the 2022 season due to a perceived rift with general manager Brian Gutekunst and that organization’s power elite.
As for what’s going on with the Jets right now, Saleh will name a starting quarterback on Wednesday. Wilson reportedly went into his office earlier in the week and told the head coach he wants the ball.
New York finds itself at 4-8 on the season and three games out of the final wild card spot in the AFC. It has scored all of 45 points over the past five games and ranks 30th in the NFL in scoring at 14.2 points per.