Robert Saleh saved the image on his cellphone: Aaron Rodgers in a No. 8 New York Jets jersey carrying the American flag as he ran out of the tunnel for the season opener.
That evening, Sept. 11, MetLife Stadium was as loud as ever for a Jets sport, the followers cheering for Rodgers and what he represented for a tortured franchise. Saleh generally shares that photograph with others to remind them what the Jets had been alleged to be in 2023, earlier than Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles 4 performs into New York’s first offensive drive of the season.
The damage pressured the Jets to recalibrate their expectations, Tremendous Bowl aspirations changed by a a lot decrease bar: seven wins. That will be sufficient to get them to 2024, when Rodgers would return.
The objective was now not the playoffs. It was survival.
New York met that seven-win objective, however dropping Rodgers uncovered issues latent within the operation — the largest of which can have been a perception that the quarterback’s play and persona may paper over flaws throughout the teaching workers, offensive personnel and the crew’s tradition.
To higher perceive the problems that contributed to a different failed Jets season, The Athletic spoke to 30 sources in and across the group, a few of whom had been granted anonymity to talk freely concerning the inside workings of the crew with out reprisal. These sources described a crew riddled with excuse-making, a paranoid head coach, an ill-equipped offensive coordinator and an organizational tunnel imaginative and prescient on the quarterback that rubbed some teammates flawed.
The Jets declined The Athletic’s request for remark. Rodgers didn’t reply to a textual content requesting remark.
In an oft-repeated battle at Florham Park, a star-studded protection that stored New York in video games grew pissed off that the offense couldn’t discover a method to put up extra factors. And offensive gamers felt like Rodgers’ hand-picked offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, failed to regulate after dropping his quarterback and didn’t put them in positions to succeed. The Jets misplaced 5 video games by 20 or extra factors and prolonged the longest playoff drought within the 4 main North American skilled sports activities to 13 years.
“It’s simply such a f—ing mess,” one Jets coach mentioned. “One thing has to alter.”
Rodgers sat down at a protracted convention desk on Aug. 31 surrounded by reporters. Years earlier, Brett Favre sat on the identical desk in the identical room, the previous Packers star having grow to be a Jet as a result of Rodgers was able to take over in Inexperienced Bay.
“I hope that’s the one factor that’s deja vu,” Rodgers mentioned with a smile.
In 2008, proprietor Woody Johnson desperately wished so as to add a giant identify to promote tickets because the Jets ready to maneuver to MetLife. Favre lasted just one season, which began effectively (with an 8-3 file), however the crew completed 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Head coach Eric Mangini, promised by Johnson he’d be protected earlier than the commerce occurred, was fired. Favre was launched.
Fifteen years later, when Rodgers grew to become obtainable, Johnson was starstruck — once more.
To woo the four-time All-Professional, the proprietor accredited the hiring of Hackett on Jan. 26. Rodgers received MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 after Hackett was employed because the Packers’ coordinator in 2019, and the quarterback developed an in depth friendship with the coach. However Hackett was additionally coming to New York contemporary off a disastrous 15-game run as head coach of the Denver Broncos, a efficiency his substitute, Sean Payton, referred to as “one of many worst teaching jobs within the historical past of the NFL.”
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The Jets made Rodgers comfy in different methods, pursuing a few of his former Inexperienced Bay teammates and different associates in free company earlier than he formally joined the crew in April. They signed extensive receiver Allen Lazard to a $44 million deal on March 14, the primary day of free company, courted Odell Beckham Jr. earlier than he signed with the Ravens after which added receiver Randall Cobb, sort out Billy Turner and quarterback Tim Boyle after Rodgers signed with New York. Rodgers additionally had offensive lineman David Bakhtiari and tight finish Marcedes Lewis on his want checklist.
The quarterback caught round for offseason exercises, a rarity when he was with the Packers. On the sector and in conferences, he put all the things he had into altering the tradition of the group. He had felt shut out by Inexperienced Bay GM Brian Gutekunst and betrayed when Gutekunst drafted inheritor obvious Jordan Love in 2020. In New York, Rodgers was afforded a direct line of communication to basic supervisor Joe Douglas.
It’s not unusual for crew decision-makers to seek the advice of star quarterbacks on potential roster additions, however the notion across the league was the Jets went past the norm. “Rodgers isn’t the assistant GM,” one AFC basic supervisor mentioned. “Joe Douglas is the assistant GM.”
Rodgers made an effort to get to know his teammates and constructed friendships over lunch within the crew cafeteria and on journeys to New York Metropolis. He pulled teammates apart throughout follow to supply pointers — coaches, too — and took former starter Zach Wilson beneath his wing.
Wilson had been a bitter disappointment since being drafted No. 2 total in 2021 (23 profession passing touchdowns, 25 interceptions in 34 video games). In 2022, he was benched twice, and the Jets publicly pursued his substitute within the offseason.
This was alleged to be Wilson’s redshirt 12 months, when the 24-year-old may sit again, watch and study from his idol, then probably salvage his profession. Within the offseason, Wilson referred to as Rodgers “the large brother I by no means had.” Rodgers helped Wilson regain his confidence, and Wilson was prepared to take a seat and watch, however the dynamic between the 2 gamers modified after Rodgers’ damage.
“The ‘what if?’ sort of hits you within the face fairly onerous,” Aaron Rodgers mentioned after a season through which he registered simply 4 performs earlier than disaster. (Ryan Kang / Getty Pictures)
Over the summer season, Rodgers collaborated with Hackett to assemble the offense — Saleh, as standard, was hands-off on that facet of the ball. Rodgers and Hackett’s relationship dynamic is extra frat brothers than participant/coach, and Rodgers appreciates having the free will to function the system as he sees match. Each Rodgers and Hackett name the offense “quarterback pleasant,” however because the Jets realized in 2023, which may solely apply to 1 quarterback.
“That’s what Aaron needs” was a standard chorus from Hackett as he instructed coaches what performs he wished to run throughout camp. Usually, Rodgers would hear Hackett’s play name and wish one thing else, so your entire offense would reset.
Lengthy earlier than a litany of accidents alongside the offensive line (the Jets used 13 completely different beginning combos in 17 video games), New York’s gifted line of defense persistently outplayed them in follow. Rising pains had been anticipated in a brand new offense full of recent personnel, however one coach mentioned it was regarding how little urgency Hackett and his workers confirmed in attempting to repair it, saying he’d by no means seen a crew watch much less follow tape in coaching camp than the Jets did with Hackett.
When Rodgers went down, the Jets reached out to some veteran quarterbacks — like Chad Henne, Carson Wentz and Colt McCoy — however determined as a substitute to roll with Wilson till (or if) Rodgers returned. Joe Flacco, who was with the Jets for elements of three seasons from 2020-22, was obtainable, however key decision-makers contained in the constructing didn’t suppose Flacco could be an improve, in keeping with league sources. Flacco signed with the Browns in late November and is a finalist for Comeback Participant of the 12 months after main Cleveland to the playoffs.
Hackett struggled to regulate the offense to the crew’s new actuality. A number of coaches and gamers described Hackett as missing in consideration to element. For a lot of the season, Hackett would meet with offensive line coach/operating sport coordinator Keith Carter and passing sport coordinator Todd Downing through the week however wouldn’t get along with the remainder of the offensive workers till the “final minute” of sport prep.
Throughout video games, Hackett struggled to make changes. In opposition to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, Carter requested Hackett to provide left sort out Duane Brown extra assist blocking Cowboys star move rusher Micah Parsons, in keeping with a number of crew sources. However Hackett by no means adjusted, and Parsons dominated (two sacks, 4 QB hits) in a 30-10 loss.
In Week 6, Rodgers began flying in from California for video games and was an energetic voice on the sideline headsets, providing opinions and concepts together with Hackett and the opposite offensive coaches earlier than flying again to California the subsequent day. The offense struggled nonetheless.
Forward of a Week 11 sport towards the Payments, the Jets went youthful, lowering enjoying time for veterans like tight finish C.J. Uzomah, operating again Dalvin Cook dinner, Cobb and Lazard in favor of youthful gamers and rookies, like sixth-round operating again Israel Abanikanda, fourth-round sort out Carter Warren, undrafted receivers Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson and second-year tight finish Jeremy Ruckert. The method was accredited by Johnson, and Hackett considered it as a chance to follow the performs he’d be calling when Rodgers returned. Unsurprisingly, the offensive operation was even sloppier — the Jets led the league in pre-snap penalties and complete penalties.
After a 30-0 loss to the Dolphins in Week 15, Lazard — in a season through which he would register the fewest receiving yards amongst 59 extensive receivers to run at the least 400 routes, per TruMedia, and the second-worst drop price amongst wideouts with at the least 30 targets, per Professional Soccer Focus — mentioned New York was “out-efforted” and “out-schemed.” These feedback angered a few of the crew’s defensive leaders, crew sources mentioned, particularly as a result of they got here from the floundering Lazard.
The Jets completed the season ranked final in third down conversions, purple zone offense and complete offensive EPA, thirty first in complete yards, thirtieth in offensive factors per sport and thirtieth in passing yards. They scored 10 offensive touchdowns of their first 12 video games — and 18 complete in 17 video games.
Hackett will return because the offensive coordinator in 2024, although crew and league sources say Saleh has explored including to the offensive workers and making a extra collaborative play-calling course of that would cut back Hackett’s position, a transparent indication the crew has misplaced confidence in his means to run the offense on his personal. Rodgers has been concerned in these discussions.
“What occurred this season can’t occur once more,” mentioned star receiver Garrett Wilson, who has performed with seven quarterbacks in two seasons in New York. “We’ve gotta make changes within the sport, we’ve gotta do issues to counter what we’re getting and have the ability to put factors on the board as a result of two years I’ve been right here, it’s been powerful.
“Soccer hasn’t been this difficult. Once I watch it on the sideline, it don’t look that onerous for the opposite crew so we gotta determine one thing to get it rolling regardless of who’s slinging it.”
Saleh has the mantra “optimistic vibes solely” printed on T-shirts that coaches and different staffers usually put on across the crew facility. The Jets head coach tries to remain optimistic round gamers and in entrance of the media and has garnered respect from many within the locker room for cultivating an surroundings that permits gamers to be themselves.
However behind closed doorways, the vibes weren’t at all times optimistic, particularly when Saleh would see destructive press experiences. He would usually convey up how, in his thoughts, the Giants don’t get as a lot destructive protection because the Jets, calling it unfair.
Within the aftermath of Rodgers’ damage, Saleh bemoaned his unhealthy luck. All through his tenure, he has usually puzzled aloud if he was doomed to the identical destiny as Vic Fangio, an excellent defensive coach cursed by misfortune at quarterback. Fangio was fired by the Broncos in 2021 after three seasons and a 19-30 file regardless of constructing an elite protection. Saleh’s Jets — and his elite protection, ranked No. 1 in 2023 by PFF— are 18-33 in his three years as coach.
Because the Jets misplaced video games and struggled to attain factors, job safety appeared to be Saleh’s main concern. He wished Johnson or Rodgers would publicly endorse him for 2024.
Johnson is understood across the constructing for being energetic on Twitter, consuming criticism from followers and media alike. Based on crew sources, Johnson usually shared these opinions with Saleh in conversations about what wasn’t engaged on offense. Publicly, Saleh averted criticizing Zach Wilson and even acknowledging his struggles. Privately, the coach pinned most of the crew’s offensive points on Wilson, the road and the receivers and instructed folks attending to eight wins with Wilson at quarterback could be a “miracle.”
When the Jets misplaced to the Dolphins in Week 12, dropping their file to 4-7, noise about Saleh’s job safety intensified. It didn’t assist that Boyle threw a Hail Mary simply earlier than halftime that was picked off by defensive again Jevon Holland and returned 99 yards for a landing.
Within the days after, an embittered Saleh performed analysis. He wished to see how groups led by the NFL’s greatest coaches carried out when enjoying with out their star quarterback. He discovered that Invoice Belichick, Mike McCarthy, John Harbaugh, Zac Taylor, Mike McDaniel, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay all had dropping information in these conditions — and that Mike Tomlin was the lone exception.
That grew to become Saleh’s battle cry because the Jets’ losses piled up and criticism mounted: What do you count on? We misplaced Aaron Rodgers.
This was alleged to be the season when Zach Wilson sat and realized from his idol. As a substitute, he was a starter once more by Week 2. (Al Bello / Getty Pictures)
When Wilson was benched for Boyle forward of the Week 12 matchup with the Dolphins, he knew his Jets profession was over. Based on a number of crew sources, of their assembly to debate Wilson’s benching, Saleh instructed the quarterback he could be inactive for the remainder of the season and that the crew would attempt to commerce him within the offseason.
However within the days earlier than the Falcons sport, Saleh reversed course and instructed Wilson to start out practising as if he would possibly play once more. He didn’t play towards Atlanta, however after the Jets misplaced, Wilson knew they had been contemplating beginning him once more. He expressed reluctance about returning to play and mentioned he would politely decline if requested, primarily based on his earlier dialog with Saleh and fears of getting injured behind the Jets’ makeshift offensive line.
Saleh requested Rodgers to talk with Wilson, to persuade the younger quarterback to alter his thoughts, in keeping with crew sources. That didn’t work both. Wilson’s emotions about his idol soured over the season.
As Rodgers was pushing the bounds of torn Achilles rehab, decided to return in slightly over three months — an unprecedented restoration time for that damage — Wilson, together with some Jets teammates and coaches, grew uninterested in the best way Saleh fawned over Rodgers, in keeping with crew sources.
“I believe he’s sacrificed a lot already for the group and himself and his teammates and he’s doing it once more,” Saleh mentioned on Nov. 30 as he mentioned Rodgers’ tried comeback. “I believe it’s a testomony to who he’s as a human.”
Wilson instructed coaches and teammates he was beneath the impression he’d have a direct line to Rodgers, even after Rodgers tore his Achilles and flew residence to California for surgical procedure within the early levels of his rehab. As a substitute, Wilson barely heard from him.
It was solely after The Athletic reported about Wilson’s hesitance that he went into Saleh’s workplace to say he’d begin towards the Houston Texans that week if requested. He did, and had one of the best sport of his profession, out-dueling star rookie C.J. Stroud in a stunning 30-6 win — earlier than struggling a concussion the subsequent week that ended his season.
Issues went sideways for Saleh after the report about Wilson’s reluctance to return to the lineup.
“That’s an issue with the group,” Rodgers mentioned on “The Pat McAfee Present.” “We have to unravel no matter that is coming from and put a cease to it privately, as a result of there’s no place in a successful tradition … and this isn’t the one time. There’s been a bunch of different leaks.”
That despatched Saleh right into a tailspin. The coach held a gathering along with his workers two days later the place he requested the leaker to disclose himself, in keeping with a number of folks in attendance. “In case you come ahead now, you received’t get in hassle,” he instructed them whereas threatening to take their cell telephones. Staffers had been bemused by Saleh’s obsession with the Wilson story and his response to it.
The uncertainty across the 2024 season lingered till Rodgers publicly endorsed Saleh and Douglas just a few days earlier than a Week 16 sport towards the Commanders on Christmas Eve. Earlier than the sport, Johnson instructed the New York Publish that Saleh and Douglas would each be returning.
A couple of weeks later, teaching heavyweights Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel grew to become obtainable, however the Jets weren’t .
Rodgers brought about a firestorm in early January for his feedback about Jimmy Kimmel on an episode of “The Pat McAfee Present,” however the Jets internally didn’t view it as a difficulty or perhaps a distraction.
Finally, the Jets know that few athletes garner extra consideration than Rodgers. It’s why New York performed in 5 prime-time video games in 2023, in addition to the NFL’s first Black Friday sport, and why HBO wished to comply with the Jets round in coaching camp for his or her “Exhausting Knocks” collection.
The added consideration wasn’t at all times an excellent factor.
“Among the stuff within the offseason with Aaron, with ‘Exhausting Knocks,’ I really feel like we misplaced observe of some issues,” star cornerback Sauce Gardner mentioned, including, “When there’s plenty of cameras and plenty of stuff happening, you possibly can lose observe of the principle factor. On the finish of the day, we nonetheless bought to win.”
When the Jets activated Rodgers’ 21-day follow window forward of the Week 13 sport towards the Falcons, there was official perception from Rodgers, Saleh and others within the group that he would have the ability to return if the Jets (4-7 on the time) may stay in playoff competition. As a substitute, they had been eradicated after a loss to the Dolphins in Week 15.
Morale improved as soon as Rodgers returned to the crew full-time in the beginning of that window and particularly when he began practising. He spent extra time across the facility, and his work on the scout crew served as a window into what life would possibly’ve been like had he by no means gotten damage.
“He was choosing us aside, throwing dimes in there,” linebacker C.J. Mosley mentioned. “You sort of catch your self it once more like, dang, it’s Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball.”
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Rodgers was voted the crew’s “most inspirational” participant on the finish of the season, which, he mentioned, almost introduced him to tears. “The ‘what if?’ sort of hits you within the face fairly onerous,” Rodgers mentioned, “as a result of, clearly, when you noticed what we had been capable of do, there’s plenty of what may have been.”
This offseason, the Jets will attempt to repair points on the offensive line, at extensive receiver and backup quarterback, however finally the group believes the answer to most of its issues is easy: the return of Rodgers. It’s a dangerous proposition since he’s 40 and coming off an Achilles damage. However Rodgers welcomes doubters — it motivates him.
Within the locker room, there was usually a scooter propped up towards Rodgers’ locker, which he’d generally use across the facility for his surgically repaired Achilles. On the again, there’s a faux New Jersey license plate with two phrases: WATCH ME.
For these in and across the Jets who witnessed a franchise turned over to an growing older celebrity and a season destroyed simply minutes in, the hope is that betting large on Rodgers this time is the one factor that looks like deja vu.
“Aaron will likely be an offense in itself as a result of that’s what he brings to the desk,” Garrett Wilson mentioned. “He’s particular. I simply pray that everybody on this planet will get to see that subsequent 12 months. However what occurred this 12 months can’t occur once more.”
(High illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; images: John Fisher and Jared C. Tilton / Getty Pictures)