Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets will be back in action this upcoming season. Rodgers who suffered a terrible injury, somehow became a domino effect for the Jets as they suffered from one of the worst seasons with a 7-10 score. Evidently, this pushed the limelight back on the 4x NFL MVP, who now carries a lot of expectations after a rigorous rehab. However, the challenge ahead for the QB and Co. will be to showcase their skills, conquer big teams in the AFC, and deal with quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
This is exactly what hosts of the SPEAK shed light on when they admitted to the New York Jets having a chance at another Super Bowl contention. After all, they won’t have an excuse in terms of running the ball, defense, and even the receiving play. However, if they fail to capitalize on the same, it might put coach Robert Saleh and others at risk of losing their positions.
Getting to the Super Bowl is the only option for Aaron Rodgers
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Emmanuel Acho wanted to know what a perfect Rodgers season looks like. The 4x MVP’s former teammate James Jones voiced that the only way Rodgers can prove his dominance in the league is by carrying the Jets to the Super Bowl. There are high expectations from the QB because he averaged a 12-5 season throughout his career, which means he carried his team to playoffs for the most part. However, turning the tide in his favor during the playoffs has remained a steady issue for the 40-year-old and Co.
Jones without any hesitation unfolded, “Aaron Rodgers has to get back to the Super Bowl, I don’t care if he wins or not. I truly believe if it’s not the Super Bowl, I still think everybody’s job is in jeopardy. If you get in the playoffs and lose that very first round… You have to get to a Super Bowl.” This becomes a crucial point for the team in general as Acho reiterated that many careers will be on the line if Jets fail to deliver.
He said, “Aaron Rodgers says if he doesn’t play like he’s supposed to play, the sound very simply said, ‘we will be fired. Robert Saleh will be fired, people are going to get fired.” This has been a fact highlighted by Aaron Rodgers himself. Per numerous sources, Rodgers remarked, “As you get older in the league if you don’t perform, they’re going to get rid of you or bring in the next guy to take over. It happened in Green Bay, and I’m a few years older than I was back then.”
It is not just Rodgers who will face the brunt of a subpar season but the entire team and management will feel the heat. As mentioned by the Jets QB, “I think if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably gonna be out of here.” But, as Acho pointed out, it wouldn’t be easy or fair to ask to assess the failure based on a Super Bowl entry.
After all “there is a Patrick Mahomes that exists. Pats kept a lot of people from the Super Bowl.” Despite this massive 3x Super Bowl Champion challenge ahead, former Green Bay Packers WR believed that Jets got what it takes to reach the Super Bowl. Crediting the Jets defense, Jones reiterated the importance of a Super Bowl appearance for Rodgers and Co.
James Jones thinks that Rodgers has a shot against Patrick Mahomes
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To start things off, Patrick Mahomes for the past two seasons has been on a roll, while Aaron Rodgers has been on a hiatus, missing the whole season. Per James Jones, Rodgers has no excuse this year. The QB has a good running back in Bryce Hall, while receivers like Mike Williams, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard will be there to take care of the offense.
Not to mention that fact that the Jets recently signed Tyron Smith, who will be a veteran presence besides John Simpson and RT Morgan Moses. James Jones pointed out that Rodgers has “arguably” the best defense in the league, hence there’s no reason to lack.
“They have everything, so that’s why I say, listen Patty is there, I’m not saying it’s just going to be easy to go through Patty but with what they have and if Aaron Rodgers is capable of playing at the level he’s capable of playing at, this team should make it to the Super Bowl,” said James Jones.
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Hence, the Jets are giving Aaron Rodgers all the resources possible to succeed in the coming season. Signing new players, adding veterans, aiding his rehab to turn the franchise around. However, there is no denying the fact that Rodgers has too much pressure on him because the Jets have been in a playoff drought since 2010. But to his credit, the QB did mention that he likes “that kind of pressure.” Can he persevere through the challenge? What do you think?