“No pressure, no diamonds” is a quote by Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle.
This is the year to see if many within the Jets organization can perform and achieve at a higher level in a critical season.
Aaron Rodgers is among the people who certainly understand what’s at stake for him and others. Last season, Rodgers only took four snaps before tearing his Achilles and missing the rest of the 2023 season. Without Rodgers, the Jets finished 7-10 and third in the AFC East.
Like last year after acquiring Rodgers from the Packers, many pundits believe the Jets are not only playoff contenders but can compete for a Super Bowl.
“I think if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably going to be out of here,” Rodgers said. “I like that kind of pressure, though. It’s a tough market to play in, it’s not for everybody.”
The Jets didn’t just acquire Rodgers to make the playoffs. They traded for the four-time NFL MVP because they believed they were a quarterback away from being a championship team.
The Jets have been plagued by inept quarterback play during the last two seasons despite having a top-five defense.
During the first OTA session open to the media last Tuesday, Rodgers didn’t exhibit any rust despite having Achilles surgery just eight months ago. He completed 8-of-10 passes during 11-on-11 drills during last week’s practice in front of the media.
Rodgers also was a perfect 5-of-5 during 7-on-7 drill work. He attempted to return late last season and was activated to the 53-man roster.
But after the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention following a 30-0 loss to the Dolphins, the decision was made to sit Rodgers for the rest of the season so he could continue to rehab.
“The arm talent, obviously, is still there, but it’s really just re-acclimating to everything, and we’re trying a bunch of new stuff too, and it’s just, again, trying to evolve within the offense,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said.
“He is doing everything.”
The NFL is also expecting big things from the Jets in 2024. They have six primetime games during the first 11 weeks of the season, which led to NFL Vice President of Broadcast Partners Mike North saying the “Jets kind of owe us one” on a conference call with media members.
“I relish that opportunity, but that’s the way the NFL is, I’m not saying anything monumental as you guys are typing away and putting your tweets out, this is how it is every single year,” Rodgers said.
“You might not just say it, but 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.
“I mean, it happened in Green Bay, and I’m a few years older than what I was back then. So, I expect to play at a high level, I expect us to be productive and competitive and all that stuff to take care of itself.”
Not only is Rodgers under pressure to produce in 2024, but offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and general manager Joe Douglas are also. In today’s media landscape, few coaches and general managers keep their jobs after multiple losing seasons.
Saleh became the Jets coach in 2021 and has an 18-33 record in three years. Douglas took over during the summer of 2019 and has accumulated a record of 27-56.
Hackett has been criticized after the Jets finished 29th in points (15.8) and 31st in yards (268.6) per game without Rodgers. Last week, Saleh told reporters that Hackett would remain the Jets’ primary play-caller. He declined to address reports that the team tried to replace Hackett this offseason.
“I think every year you learn so much,” Hackett said. “Every single year, you learn so many different things.
“We have to continually always be ready for a lot of changes. I think that was one of the biggest things last year was, we faced a lot of change.
“When I look back on it, it was a great opportunity for a lot of guys to get some valuable experience to create more depth for this year, so I think those were a lot of good things.”
The Jets have improved their roster on paper over the last two seasons. Gang Green fortified its offensive line this offseason by signing Tyron Smith, John Simpson and trading for Morgan Moses. The team also drafted Olu Fashanu, who figures to be their left tackle of the future.
The Jets also added wide receiver Mike Williams in free agency and selected Malachi Corley in the third round of April’s draft.
Because of Rodgers’ injury, Saleh and Douglas received a mulligan after the Jets finished 7-10 for the second consecutive year. With the Jets having the longest playoff drought in the NFL (2010), owner Woody Johnson’s frustration is mounting after he was upset with the lack of offensive production last season.
With all the local and national media expectations, 2024 is a make-or-break year for Rodgers, Saleh, and Douglas.
“It’s New York, there’s always going to be excitement,” Saleh said. “It’s awesome, like I said, that we’ve looked at in that light, but at the same time, none of it matters unless we focus on the process and go in day-to-day and try to be the best we can.”
