Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' weekly appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show" have been appointment television as he tries to complete an improbable comeback from a torn Achilles, but the question on everyone's mind Tuesday was not related to the injury.
After reports surfaced Monday alleging that Zach Wilson was "reluctant" to take back the Jets' starting quarterback job, Rodgers issued an aggressive defense of his teammate.
"I'll tell you that I love the kid. I've spent a lot of time with him, and I think he's an amazing young man," Rodgers said, adding that Wilson has done a good job of "standing up and taking accountability" this season.
Notably, Rodgers didn't necessarily deny that Wilson expressed hesitation about starting, though he did assert that the idea the 24-year-old "quit" on the team isn't accurate.
"He's been through a lot of s— in the last three years, and he's got every right to be frustrated and disappointed about it," Rodgers said.
MORE: How Jordan Love's stats stack up with Aaron Rodgers' first season as Packers starter
Rodgers devoted more time to criticizing the anonymous leaker of the information, rather than denying the conversations happened.
"What is your motivation to try and bury someone like that? And that's a problem with the organization, you know, we need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it," Rodgers said, explaining that it's not the first time someone within the Jets organization has leaked information to the media.
"I think it's chicken s— at its core, and I think it has no place in a winning organization."
"When you use sources to try and assassinate someone's character like that report does for Zach I have a real hard time with that..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 5, 2023
You're basically saying that this kid is quitting on the team and doesn't wanna play" @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/b9WNCSIoKB
MORE: Latest updates as Aaron Rodgers returns to practice
Coach Robert Saleh benched Wilson for Tim Boyle ahead of the team's Black Friday game against the Dolphins. Boyle was then benched for Trevor Siemian on Sunday against the Falcons, and reports on Monday indicated that New York wanted to return to Wilson as the starter in Week 14.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini, who initially reported that Wilson was reluctant to step back in, said Rodgers tried to convince Wilson to play. Saleh declined to name a starter on Monday, but he revealed that Wilson came up to him shortly before his press conference and told him he wants to play.
Whoever starts, Boyle won't be waiting in the wings. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported Tuesday that the Jets are releasing the QB and signing Brett Rypien off Seattle's practice squad for depth.
Whether Wilson starts the Jets' final five games or not, his time in New York appears to be coming to an end. Rodgers is expected to be the team's starter in 2024, and the organization might have to clamp down on leaks in order to keep him content.
Sporting News may earn an affiliate commission through our links. The Sporting News' affiliates have no influence over the editorial content included in this article.
