This week, training camps open across the NFL, and the New York Jets will give it another try with their aging future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers was traded to the Jets last offseason amidst lots of fanfare and hype, not to mention high expectations, but it all popped like a balloon when he tore his Achilles on their first offensive series of the regular season.
He’s back and apparently healthy, which has caused some to feel the Jets have a chance to do something special this year.
But Fox Sports 1’s Nick Wright isn’t buying the hype — in response to Rodgers downplaying his absence at mandatory minicamp, Wright said he doesn’t think Rodgers “can lead a football team.”
Rodgers is undoubtedly one of the greatest QBs of the past 15 years or so and one of the better ones of all time, but his reputation has taken a great hit over the last few years.
He has developed a reputation as something of a self-entitled diva after a number of off-the-field controversies, and it may have played a role in his departure from the Green Bay Packers, the only NFL team he had ever played for until last offseason’s trade.
There is no doubt New York has talent — in addition to the talent they had last season, they added wide receiver Mike Williams, eight-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Haason Reddick.
But they will likely only go as far as Rodgers takes them, and if he is less than great at age 40, they likely won’t go far, especially in a loaded AFC.
