The Miami Dolphins creamed the New York Jets in a 30-0 rout on December 17, 2023. Photo by Vincent Carchietta via USA TODAY Sports
In what began as a season of huge aspirations, the 2023 Jets season has been nothing short of a failure.
From hopes and dreams to crashes and burns, the Jets season went the same way the last thirteen have gone. In the 2022-23 NFL offseason, Aaron Rodgers talks ramped up immensely, to the point where his trading to the Jets from the Packers would be all but certain. Indeed it was, and when the then-39-year-old was traded, the Jets knew they only had a two-year window to win a Super Bowl with the superstar.
Those plans went out the window immediately. As Rodgers ran onto the field carrying the American Flag on Opening Night, to raucous fanfare, the feeling was that they were back. This season was to be different, with Rodgers at the helm and Zach Wilson as the backup.
But alas, things went in typical Jets fashion. Rodgers tore his Achilles on the opening drive, and was ruled out for the rest of the season. Four snaps, and one Achilles snap, and the run was over.
Too Much to Bear
The Jets tried to believe they could sustain a winning culture in Rodgers’ absence. However, they simply could not replicate what he brings to the table. Although Rodgers remained with the team, often assisting on the sidelines and guiding Zach Wilson, it was moot. With a 30-0 blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins yesterday afternoon, they have been officially eliminated from postseason contention.
Miami made noise without their best wide receiver Tyreek Hill playing, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. In his absence, Jaylen Waddle made his presence known, with 142 receiving yards on eight receptions (a season-high) combined with a 60-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson only threw for 26 yards, completing only 4 of 11 passes. He then left the game and was replaced with backup Trevor Siemian, who didn’t do much better.
New York Football
Ultimately, this game was a microcosm of the Jets’ 2023 season. It saw a miserable offense led by an inept quarterback, along with a lack of accountability from the coach. Now, in a season where Super Bowl aspirations were promised, the Jets will miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year.
And with the Giants’ loss to the Saints yesterday, and their elimination imminent, New York football is indeed not in a good place.
