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Aaron Rodgers arrived in New York with hopes of transforming the Jets, but with four games left in a disappointing season, even he acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge. Speaking candidly in the locker room Wednesday, Rodgers admitted, “It might be some sort of curse we’ve got to snap.”
A Franchise’s Struggles
Rodgers’ words reflect the frustration of a team stuck in a cycle of failure. The Jets are staring down their ninth consecutive losing season and 14th straight year without a playoff appearance—the longest active drought in the NFL. It’s been over 50 years since the team’s lone Super Bowl triumph, and a sense of futility continues to cloud the organization.
After Sunday’s 32-26 loss to the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver Garrett Wilson voiced a similar sentiment, saying the Jets have a “losing problem, like a gene or s—.”
The Jets brought Rodgers in for exactly this reason: to reset the culture. But the results have mirrored past experiments with veteran quarterbacks like Brett Favre (2008), Neil O’Donnell (1996), and Boomer Esiason (1993), none of whom could turn things around.
An Injury-Shortened Impact
Rodgers, 41, barely had the chance to make his mark this season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1. While he’s now healthy, the team sits at 3-10, with no chance of improving on last year’s 7-10 record unless they win out.
Despite the bleak outlook, Rodgers shared some optimism. “This team — this organization — is going to figure out how to get over the hump at some point,” he said. “The culture is built by the players. There’s a framework set down by the organizations, by the upper ups, by the staff and, in the end, it’s the players that make it come to life.”
Searching for the Right Formula
Rodgers believes the team hasn’t yet found the “special sauce” that builds winning teams, but he sees potential. “There’s a lot of great guys in the locker room. There’s a good mix of veterans and young guys. We just haven’t quite put it all together.”
He emphasized the importance of leadership, noting. “Your best players have to be your best people,” and they have to lead with their attitude and practice habits. Those players, he said, are the ones who set the standard.
Rodgers has tried to lead by example, playing through various leg injuries. However, some have questioned his commitment, pointing to his absence from a mandatory minicamp in June—a decision that led to a fine from the team.
The Bigger Picture
The Jets’ struggles aren’t just about culture. Their 0-7 record in games decided by six points or less highlights their inability to close out tight contests. Cornerback Sauce Gardner echoed the frustration, saying, “We got fans that pay money, season-ticket holders and, at the end of the day, we’re still losing, so they probably feel like they’re just wasting money.” Cornerback Sauce Gardner said. “I don’t want to keep losing. I want to do whatever it takes to turn it around.”
Whether Rodgers will be part of that turnaround remains uncertain. While he could stay until 2025 or 2026, his immediate focus is on leaving a lasting impact. “Teammates have to hold themselves to a standard that’s pretty damn high,” Rodgers said. “Until that happens,” he said. “you’re going to be touching the edge of that special sauce that makes the locker room have that really good chemistry.”
For now, the Jets remain a work in progress, with Rodgers hoping his leadership will spark a brighter future—even if it doesn’t come during his time in New York.
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This report used information from ESPN.
