Aaron Rodgers and the Jets – it was a doomed love story from the start. Or at the least, a troubled one. How cruel were the fates that he only got to spend 94 seconds on the field in his first season for the Gang Green? But the fates forgot: you can’t keep a hero down. And so Aaron Rodgers rose from the ashes of his Achilles injury to sling it the way only he can this season.

But alas, it would appear the cruel fates might have the last laugh after all. Things have not worked out well for the pairing this season either. Whether it is Rodgers’ fault, for his alleged pulling of recruitment strings behind the scenes, if not his game performances, has been the topic of much debate. But what’s undebatable is that his stint at the Jets has been forgettable at best.

The topic of discussion now is whether the third time could be a charm. If, and it’s a big if, Rodgers chooses to play another season. Opinions are pouring in from all over, from Cam Newton to Davante Adams.

Cam Newton invokes The Dark Knight

“The biggest blunder in the NFL history of the last decade” – this would be the title of Rodgers and Jets’ love story if it were up to Cam Newton. He showed no mercy going after the bonafide NFL legend, Rodgers, asking if he still has it and strongly suggesting that he doesn’t.

Speaking as a former NFL QB, Newton called on Rodgers to introspect on whether he had reached that moment where he was over the hill, so to speak. To drive home his point, he referred to a quote from The Dark Knight, ‘You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain’.

While he roasted the Jets’ season, Cam Newton did his best to convey his respect for Rodgers and what he has done for the game. He even said, “Patrick Mahomes is not Patrick Mahomes without Aaron Rodgers first being Aaron Rodgers.” 

The question being discussed may well have been – will Aaron Rodgers tarnish his legacy if he has another mediocre season? 

While the season was undeniably a failure, Aaron Rodgers’ performances were not so bad. He threw 28 touchdowns and slung the ball for nearly 4,000 yards. He enjoyed connecting with one familiar teammate in particular.

Davante Adams could join Aaron Rodgers on that jet plane

One bright spot of the Jets’ season was Rodgers’ connection with WR Davante Adams. The pair combined for 7 touchdowns and 854 passing yards in a lukewarm Jets offense. Not quite at their best, but not bad, given the circumstances. But the Jets could stand to lose both of them next season. Adams’ stay could depend on his buddy’s decision.

Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers’ relationship is a subplot in this troubled Titanic story of the Jets. The bromance spanning a decade. Two brothers, split after eight years together at the Packers, reunited at the… MetLife Stadium. However, much like in a troubled romantic movie, there is no happy ending. Most importantly, no (shared) ring.

Ring or no ring, Davante Adams has already hinted that he could break up with the Jets if Rodgers does. Asked about the impact of Rodgers’ future on his decision to stay at the Jets, he replied, “I would imagine it would have something to do with it.”

A lot hinges on A-Rod’s decision here. His legacy and potentially the foreseeable future of the Jets, who might slip into another rebuilding project. Will he? Won’t he?