In the concrete jungle where dreams are made, the New York Jets are betting on a 40-year-old arm to break their 55-year Super Bowl drought. But as Aaron Rodgers steps into the spotlight at MetLife Stadium, he’s facing more heat than a Times Square Sabrett hot dog cart. The Jets’ $75 million man isn’t just battling Father Time. He now is squaring off against a former NFL head coach who’s calling an audible on Rodgers’ leadership.

Eric Mangini, speaking on ‘The Herd with Colin Cowherd’, didn’t just throw a flag on Rodgers’ play; he tossed the whole penalty book. “At the end of the day if if he doesn’t win this year he’s gone, the coaching staff is gone and the Jets are starting probably the jamm’s gone everybody’s starting over,” Mangini warned.

The crux of Mangini’s critique? Rodgers’ absence from mandatory minicamp. It’s a move that has Mangini seeing more red flags than a challenge-happy coach. He pointed out the irony, saying, “He was the one that talked about the importance of limiting distraction. He was the one that would talked about the importance of focusing on on only football. And and all all the things that he preaches in the press conference.”

This isn’t just about missing a few practices. It’s about setting the tone for a team that’s gone all-in on Rodgers faster than a New York minute. The Jets have revamped their offensive line, hoping Rodgers will be their ticket to the glory land. But if the star QB is AWOL during key team-building moments, it’s like trying to build the Empire State Building without its iconic spire.

Rodgers’ own words are coming back to haunt him faster than a poorly thrown-interception. He once declared, “Anything that doesn’t have anything to do with winning needs to be assessed.” Now, Mangini’s essentially throwing that back in Rodgers’ face, suggesting that the QB’s actions don’t match his words. It’s a classic case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ that’s leaving Jets fans more frustrated.

Saleh’s hot seat gets hotter

While Rodgers takes the heat, head coach Robert Saleh isn’t exactly chillin’ in the shade. Mangini’s comments put a spotlight on Saleh’s ability to manage a high-profile QB and deliver results. It’s a balancing act, tougher than navigating the subway during rush hour.

Saleh’s in a pickle. He’s got to keep Rodgers happy while also maintaining team discipline. If he can’t get everyone marching to the same beat, it could be ‘game over’ for his tenure with the Jets faster than you can say “fuhgeddaboudit.”

As Rodgers prepares for his 20th NFL season, he’s not just the oldest player in the league; he’s a walking, talking football history book. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was floored when he learned about Rodgers’ tenure, exclaiming, “I didn’t know that. Aaron [has] 20 years in the NFL? Man!” It’s a stark reminder of the generation gap Rodgers is bridging, practicing alongside rookie Braelon Allen, who wasn’t even born when Rodgers entered the league.

Mangini’s warning is clear: it’s fourth and goal for the Jets, and they’re down by six. Will Rodgers and Saleh pull off a game-winning drive, or will they fumble on the one-yard line? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – the clock is ticking louder than the boos at MetLife after a bad play. As Rodgers himself once said, “The bulls**t that has nothing to do with winning needs to get out of the building.” The question is, will Rodgers heed his advice, or will he and Saleh be the ones getting out of the building?