The New York Jets have a four-time NFL MVP as their starting quarterback, but the critics are claiming that Aaron Rodgers will be a shell of his former self in 2024.
The 40-year-old Rodgers has passed for 59,055 career yards and 475 touchdowns, but he has not completed a pass in an NFL game since the 2022 regular season finale. Needing a win to qualify for the playoffs, the Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers managed only 16 points in a disappointing home loss to the Detroit Lions.
NFL writer Scott Kacsmar, formerly of Football Outsiders, classified all 32 probable starting quarterbacks for 365 Scores, and Rodgers did not make the Top 10. The author dispersed the 32 field generals across seven tiers with Rodgers landing in Tier 4, which was labeled as "Used Goods."
Back-to-back Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes sits alone in Tier 1, which bears the two-time MVP's name. Buffalo Bills' three-time MVP finalist Josh Allen led off Tier 2, which features "The Proven."
Rodgers came in at No. 12 overall, one spot behind Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI winner Matthew Stafford, who tops the "Used Goods" tier.
From How Patrick Mahomes Became His Own Tier:
"Aaron Rodgers could be the hardest quarterback to rank in 2024. Career-wise, he’s No. 1 or No. 2 in the league. Only Mahomes can compare to what he’s done in an obvious first-ballot Hall of Fame career with four MVP awards. But we haven’t seen Rodgers play at a high level since 2021. ... If you were skeptical of how Rodgers would perform last year, you have every right to be more skeptical this year after what happened. But if he stays healthy? It could work out with some decent receivers, an improved running game, and an offensive line, and the defense should still be solid. ... ."
Even in the twilight of his career, Rodgers should represent a substantial upgrade for the Jets at the most important position on the field. His 2022 numbers (3,695 yards, 26 TD, 12 INT), which were subpar compared to his career norm, would be enough to elevate New York's downtrodden passing game.
In five of his last seven seasons (excluding 2023), Rodgers surpassed the 4,000-yard passing mark. The Jets have not had 4,000-yard passer since 1967.
In 2024, Rodgers will have the chance to prove he's more than "Used Goods."
