USA Today via Reuters
February 2, 2023; Pebble Beach, California, USA; Aaron Rodgers hits his tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
February 2, 2023; Pebble Beach, California, USA; Aaron Rodgers hits his tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
Hold on to your golf clubs. Is Aaron Rodgers contemplating a switch to golf? The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is teeing off this week, and guess who’s joining the lineup? Yep, the 4x NFL MVP himself, A-Rod! It’s not a touchdown pass, but a hole-in-one might be just as satisfying. Why the golf course? Well, unlike the gridiron, golf is a non-contact sport. No Achilles tears here!
But it’s not just golf balls, he’ll be swinging. Rodgers will also be swinging answers at reporters. Why the media frenzy? Enter an explosive report by The Athletic that’s sending shockwaves between the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers and Brady among star-studded cast
Just a week ago, Aaron Rodgers was spotted on the golf course in Las Vegas. He was swinging away with his O-linemen. Team bonding or PGA Tour prep? Turns out, a bit of both! But don’t fret, he’s not bidding adieu to football for golf. He just loves teeing off in his downtime. The PGA Tour even announced the star-studded lineup for the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Instagram.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off of the field before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Yet, back in Jets’ territory, not all is sunny. Golf might be Rodgers’ escape from Jets’ troubles. Reports suggest offensive players feel the offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, struggled to adapt without Rodgers, leaving the team in a rough spot. The team is dealing with a chaotic situation, and change seems inevitable.
“It’s just such a f*****g mess,” one Jets coach said. “Something has to change.” And a report by the Athletic revealed something big.
Rodgers in the midst of controversy
Wilson was benched for Boyle before week 12. He saw the writing on the wall for his Jets career. Rodgers, at Saleh’s request, attempted to persuade Wilson to reconsider. But it proved unsuccessful. As the season progressed, Wilson’s admiration for Rodgers waned. Especially as the injured quarterback received extra attention from Coach Saleh. Wilson, expecting more direct support from Rodgers during his own injury, was disappointed with the minimal contact he received.
USA Today via Reuters
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) throws the ball during warmups before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
As the drama unfolded in the Jets’ quarterback situation, Wilson felt sidelined and underappreciated. “Wilson, along with some Jets teammates and coaches, grew tired of the way Saleh fawned over Rodgers“, according to the report by The Athletic. Wilson, anticipating a close connection with Rodgers, felt let down when he maintained minimal communication. Could this widening gulf between the veteran QB and Coach Saleh on the one side and Wilson on the other lead to the team’s downfall?
