Four-Time MVP Goes on “Diatribe” About New York Jets 2024 Offense
The 2024 New York Jets had many issues. The entire team, from the on-field product to the front office to practices to media appearances, everything was just an unmitigated disaster. A major reason for this was all of the drama surrounding the team, much caused by their former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Even after being cut, he continues to talk about his former team, as NFL on Fox analyst Mark Schlereth reported that in a conversation with the four-time MVP, he went on a “25-minute diatribe” complaining about the Jets' run game in 2024.
The issue with Rodgers’ comments is not because they aren’t true. The Jets had one of the worst rushing offenses in the league last season, ranking 31st in yards per game and dead last in rushing attempts. The issue with his comments is that a major part of the lackluster run game was due to Aaron Rodgers himself. Some of the biggest reasons for the Jets’ lack of success on the ground can be traced directly back to him.
For one, the Jets were fifth in pass attempts in 2024, which was very out of character for the Saleh regime. The reason for this is that Aaron would often change or call plays from the line of scrimmage, resulting in a major outlier for the Jets in the Saleh era. They were never a pass-heavy team before 2024. Saleh preferred to control the ball and play good defense to win the game. Rodgers had a bit of a stranglehold on the offense, resulting in him throwing the ball at a very high rate. Not to mention, the person calling the plays, Nathaniel Hackett, is someone whom Rodgers advocated for throughout his career. People have theorized that a big reason Hackett was there was because of Rodgers’ influence, and now he’s complaining about the playcalling that he also had a major influence on.
Regardless of Aaron’s opinion on the play calling in 2024, the New York Jets go into this season with a new coaching staff, an improved offensive line, and a healthy running back room. Leadback Breece Hall is healthy and primed for a bounce-back year following his lackluster ‘24. Braelon Allen is also looking to have a bigger role in the offense. With better play-calling and better blocking in 2025, the Jets will surely be a better rushing team as well.
