The Jets‘ season? Think of a drama-filled soap opera, with all the twists and off-field drama. At the heart of it all? The tense relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Jets owner Woody Johnson.

The tension isn’t exactly a secret either. Inside sources claim “Rodgers’s relationship with owner Woody Johnson has been strained for months, and it’s no secret in the organization“, and Johnson—who put $75 million into Aaron Rodgers—checked out early. The real start of the drama? That nightmare first game of the 2023 season. Four snaps into the opener against the Bills, Rodgers tore his Achilles, setting the tone for a season that went downhill and didn’t pick up pace even when A-Rod returned this season.

Reports from NFL insider Dianna Russini reveal that Johnson lost “confidence in Rodgers’ ability to lead the team to their first playoff berth in 14 years“. Safe to say, things aren’t exactly going smoothly between them.

You’d think an owner would back their star QB, right? Well, not Woody Johnson. He lost faith in Rodgers quicker than expected. And Rodgers hasn’t done himself any favors either with a 3-8 record this season. While talking about bouncing back stronger, he’s been more focused on podcast drama and throwing subtle jabs at the Jets’ plans.

For Jets fans, this isn’t just frustrating—it’s draining. Fans expected Aaron Rodgers to be the saviour, but instead, they’re watching the team’s star and its owner navigate a strained relationship. Even Jeff Ulbrich, after the Jets’ crushing 31-6 loss to the Cardinals in Week 10, essentially downplayed playoff hopes: “We’re going to keep fighting, but in all honesty, the playoffs should be the last thing on our mind right now. We’ve just got to play better football”.

With the Jets floundering, the real question is whether this partnership can be mended or if fans are witnessing the early stages of a dramatic fallout.

Rodgers’ comeback hopes to mount doubts in ‘Gang Green’

Aaron Rodgers’ 2024 struggles are a mix of injury and performance. His Achilles injury in 2023 set the stage for a tough return, and while Rodgers showed flashes of his old self, he’s been inconsistent. With 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, his QBR of 50.9 is far from MVP caliber. His decision-making and lack of chemistry with his offensive line have been factors too, as the Jets have struggled to establish a reliable offense.​

However, it’s not just Rodgers’ physical recovery that’s held him back. The Jets’ overall lack of a solid game plan and offensive strategy has contributed heavily. Underperformance from key players like Sauce Gardner and questionable coaching decisions—from now-fired Robert Saleh and later Jeff Ulbrich—mounted the pressure on Rodgers, which led to mistakes. As a veteran quarterback, everyone was expecting him to elevate his teammates, but with an offense ranked 26th in scoring, the team isn’t helping his cause.​

Now that Jets leadership questions Aaron Rodgers’ connection with the team, determining how long he will stay remains a pressing concern. Even though Johnson initially backed Rodgers, the owner’s apparent lack of faith in him, especially after the Broncos loss, has put questions on the QB’s tenure with the team. At 40 years old, Rodgers needs to quickly find a way to rediscover his magic or his time in New York may come to a bitter end.