Aaron Rodgers now has the New York Jets.
Technically, this is still Woody Johnson’s team. Sorry, Ambassador Johnson’s team. But that’s just the name. If there were any doubts that Rodgers is actually the one leading the team, they have been put to rest.
A week after firing Robert Saleh, the Jets completed Rodgers’ wish list by trading for Davante Adams on Tuesday. This brings the number of alumni to 10 Green Bay Packers the Jets appealed to make their quarterback feel at home.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and receiver Allen Lazard are still with the Jets. Last year, backup quarterback Tim Boyle, receivers Randall Cobb and Malik Taylor, safety Adrian Amos and offensive linemen Jake Hanson, Dennis Kelly and Billy Turner joined Rodgers in moving from Green Bay to New York.
Hell, there’s probably also a David Bakhtiari jersey somewhere in the Jets equipment room, just in case his knees allow him to play again.
But by giving Rodgers all the toys he wants, the Jets have taken away all his excuses.
It won’t be the Jets who get blamed if their season continues to fall apart. They’re a dismal franchise with a worst playoff drought of 13 years in the NFL, and the only thing they excel at more than losing is making bad decisions. Zach Wilson, am I right?
Rodgers is a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion. In 16 years as a starter, he only missed the playoffs twice when healthy. The Jets believe he’s the answer to their decades of futility, their modern-day Joe Namath.
And that was before he let Rodgers dictate the roster.
“Recoverable? We’re going to kick – you can add the words,” Johnson said at the NFL owners meeting in Atlanta. “We’re going to do really well.”
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Rodgers better make sure of that. Because if the Jets can’t win after making every accommodation for their quarterback, if they waste what some thought would be a Super Bowl season, it will be his fault.
Not the offensive line, which the Jets rebuilt during the offseason. Not the running game or the defense, both of which have been adequate. Rodgers.
Do you want to take the lead? You better be ready to answer for them.
Bringing in Adams isn’t a bad move for the Jets, whose anemic offense is a large part of the reason they fell to third place in the AFC East after Monday night’s loss to the AFC. Buffalo Bills.
Adams was Rodgers’ favorite target with the Green Bay Packers for a reason, with 73 touchdowns and 8,121 receiving yards. He led the NFL with a career-high 18 touchdowns in 2020, and his reception rate in Green Bay was 66%.
THE Las Vegas Raiders It was an absolute disaster, but Adams was still productive in it. He led the league with 14 touchdowns in 2022 and had 1,000-yard seasons in each of his first two years. When he made it known he wanted to leave Las Vegas, teams lined up to woo him.
“I think everyone would be interested,” Johnson said.
The Jets especially. And because what Rodgers wants, the Jets make sure he gets, Adams was in New York early Tuesday and is expected to play Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Obviously, I’m really excited,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “I love Tae. He is a phenomenal player and a dear friend.
That the Jets want to keep Rodgers happy is understandable. He is their path to respectability.
He also holds grudges like few others, and the Jets need him to feel appreciated and listened to for it to work. If that means giving him control of the roster, it’s a small price to pay.
As long as it works.
Whatever excuses Rodgers made are gone. He got what he wanted and now he has to deliver it.
Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armor on social media @nrarmour.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: No more excuses for Aaron Rodgers after New York Jets grant wish list
