Aaron Rodgers isn't currently with the Jets, but that doesn't mean what he says doesn't carry weight.
The Jets quarterback, who is recovering from Achilles surgery, spoke about the team's visible frustrations, particularly on offense, on Tuesday, stating that they needed to "grow up" and stop pointing the finger at one another.
New York head coach Robert Saleh responded to the comments from the veteran QB, saying the team welcomes his input and that Rodgers is "not wrong."
"I’ve said it with Aaron, he’s as much of a coach as he is a player and he’s been around youth and he’s been around adversity and he's seen it all," Saleh said on Wednesday. "And so for him to recognize that and talk through it, I think he’s not wrong. When you have frustration, it’s easy to kind of look for answers when sometimes the most important answer is inward. That’s the only way you can defeat adversity is to look inward and find ways to be your personal best.
"As it pertains to what he said, he’s not wrong, but at the same time it’s just a bunch of young guys showing a little bit of frustration, so they’ll be all right."
There were multiple public displays of emotions on the sidelines during the Jets' 15-10 loss to the Patriots on Sunday, the 15th consecutive loss that the franchise has suffered at the hands of their division rival. With the defeat, New York dropped to 1-2 on the season, having scored only 20 combined points in the last two outings.
The play of quarterback Zach Wilson has come under fire, as the third-year signal caller out of BYU has not taken the steps forward that the organization needs with the absence of Rodgers. Things are turning ugly — yet again — for Gang Green, and we are just entering Week 4 of the season.
MORE: Why the Jets locker room is 'ready to implode' over Zach Wilson, Robert Saleh
What did Aaron Rodgers say about the Jets?
Rodgers made his weekly appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday, where he asked about the recent criticism of the Jets from a number of personalities, most notably Jets legend Joe Namath.
The injured quarterback took the opportunity to discuss the adversity that New York is experiencing early in the year, and how he feels the team needs to "grow up a little bit" and stop pointing fingers at each other.
"This is what teams have to go through and there's adversity points in every season..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 26, 2023
I think we need to hold our poise a little bit better and it's really tough not being there with those guys" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/UYPFdmXKpz
"This is what teams have to go through and there's adversity points in every season," Rodgers said. "This year, it's happening early and people are coming for us and there's some heated conversations on the sidelines and different things. I think we need to hold our poise a little bit better offensively. We need to not have some of those things happen on the sideline and to be a little better and to be better competitors. We have to understand this is part of it and it's not always going to be pretty.
"There's been, I think, too many little side conversations and we just need to grow up a little bit on offense. Lock in and do our jobs, everybody, and not point fingers at each other, that's everybody."
MORE: Joe Namath blasts Jets, Zach Wilson in fiery radio hit
There were two separate incidents Rodgers was referring to from Sunday's loss to New England. The first was between Wilson and wide receiver Garrett Wilson after a three-and-out.
Garrett Wilson and Zach Wilson had a conversation after the team's three-and-out.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 24, 2023
G Wilson didn't seem thrilled about what was happening.#Jets pic.twitter.com/sJShCWtXrz
Later in the game, running back Michael Carter was clearly upset with running backs coach Taylor Embree, coming once again after a three-and-out by the offense.
Michael Carter spotted yelling at #Jets RBs coach Taylor Embree on the sideline.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 24, 2023
🤬Moral is not good in NY.🤬 pic.twitter.com/AOdhPyDncA
If the Jets are going to turn around their season, the maturity needs to be increased out of the group — and fast.
