Aaron Rodgers’ damage complicates every little thing for the New York Jets.
They got here into this season with desires of a Super Bowl. With hopes of going from a bottom-ten NFL offense to a top-ten group in a single yr. With expectations that they need to be significantly improved.
It lay on the inspiration of an distinctive protection and some younger standout offensive gamers. But that basis was strengthened by the longer term Hall of Famer quarterback who joined the workforce in a commerce from the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers won’t play once more this season after an Achilles tear within the workforce’s first offensive collection of the season. FOX Sports’ workers of writers joined forces to debate which quarterbacks the Jets may pursue subsequent, Zach Wilson’s probabilities of rising out of bust standing and whether or not the Jets can nonetheless make a run.
Among the varied free-agent QBs accessible proper now, who ought to the Jets think about?
Nick Foles had an terrible season with the Colts final season, however I’d contend that anybody would have appeared terrible with that Indy workforce. There are loads of the reason why Foles may step into New York and function a reliable starter. And heck, he received a Super Bowl with the Eagles after elevating from a backup function. Maybe he can do one thing comparable for the Jets. —Henry McKenna
Carson Wentz has clearly been in a downward spiral since his sensible, MVP-caliber 2017 season with the Eagles, capped along with his launch in February by the Commanders. But he could be essentially the most interesting possibility amongst an underwhelming forged of free-agent quarterbacks, for no matter that is price.
The former No. 2 general decide is youthful than many of the choices who’ve significant expertise (he turns 31 in December). Wentz is turnover-prone, but it surely’s not just like the Jets would want him to sling the rock anyway. He ought to be capable to play the game-manager function —Ben Arthur
Tom Brady. And no, I’m not kidding. The Jets had been all-in to win a championship they usually received the most effective quarterback accessible, it doesn’t matter what they needed to spend. Well, why not do it once more? There is nobody on the market akin to Brady and he’d deliver instantaneous credibility to an offense that wants it. Yes, he appears joyful in retirement, however he’s unretired earlier than. The Jets are loaded with weapons and perhaps the most effective protection within the league. It’s received to be tempting. Plus, if they provide Brady the prospect to be the QB of the NYJ and write it on a serviette, it will be an all-time troll of Bill Belichick. It can be price their time only for that. —Ralph Vacchiano
Who are the most effective QB commerce matches?
Jameis Winston looks as if the most suitable choice doubtlessly accessible to the Jets. A man like Philip Rivers sounds good till you see him on the sector and also you keep in mind he is 41 years previous and hasn’t performed soccer since 2020. In Winston, the Jets have a strong-armed gunslinger who can play inside a system. Now, I’m not going to B.S. about how wonderful Winston is. He’s a backup for a motive, particularly that he tends to throw too many interceptions. He’s merely … the most effective of all of the dangerous choices. But he is the most effective from my vantage. —McKenna
Ryan Tannehill is clearly on borrowed time in Tennessee after the Titans took Will Levis within the second spherical. He’s not an elite quarterback however has all the time been slightly higher than most individuals suppose. Certainly, he may do a adequate job given the weapons the Jets have, and backed by what could be an all-time protection. The value in all probability received’t be excessive, plus the Jets may in all probability reduce him on the finish of the season if Aaron Rodgers comes again. The Titans must be prepared to surrender on their season, although. It could be too early for that —Vacchiano
Aaron Rodgers is out for the remainder of the season after MRI confirms Achilles tear: Undisputed discusses
Is this essentially the most hope a workforce has misplaced in its Super Bowl probabilities throughout a Week 1 recreation since Tom Brady in 2008?
First off, sure, it’s. But I’ll go farther again and level to 1991, when the Eagles misplaced Randall Cunningham 4 passes into their opener to a season-ending knee damage. Just crushing. I perceive that Cunningham is not Aaron Rodgers, however the feeling of an optimistic workforce’s hopes being dashed so early in a season took me again to that. Philadelphia ended up going 10-6 with Jim McMahon at quarterback, lacking the playoffs by a recreation, however I’ll all the time marvel what that yr might need been like if Bryce Paup had the break day. —Greg Auman
The Jets say they’re dedicated to Zach Wilson. Should they be? Is there any logic in giving him an actual likelihood?
The sum of money the Jets have dedicated to Rodgers makes it prohibitive so as to add any vital quarterback to their roster. So Wilson primarily has the fitting of first refusal – the workforce is dedicated to him now, which is to say there are nonetheless six weeks earlier than the commerce deadline and it is his job to lose. And he actually may lose it. In two years, he is but to have a single recreation with two extra touchdowns than interceptions. Maybe that is sufficient to win some video games with a stellar protection, however he does not seem to be somebody who actively wins video games for the Jets. Hand him the keys now, hope for the most effective, however no one has dominated out buying and selling for a extra dependable veteran quarterback in a number of weeks. —Auman
Will Zach Wilson be capable to STEP UP for the Jets with out Aaron Rodgers?
I could be the sternest critic of Zach Wilson on workers. But I do suppose that the Jets will seemingly have to present him one other likelihood for per week or two. Because as dangerous as he has been over the previous couple of years, he’s in all probability higher than certainly one of these quarterbacks off the road with zero expertise in Nathaniel Hackett’s playbook. He’ll seemingly get a recreation or two to show everybody unsuitable. —McKenna
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We knew the Jets protection was proficient. Was Monday night time’s efficiency spectacular sufficient that the workforce nonetheless has an opportunity to make a playoff run even with out Rodgers?
I do not see it. It’s actually potential that the Jets will probably be within the wild-card race, however with out not less than above-average quarterback play, it simply seems like too onerous of a process in a loaded AFC. Every main contender within the convention has great-to-superstar-level play on the place. You have to have the ability to rating factors at a excessive degree. The Jets are primarily in the identical place as they had been final yr with Wilson. —Arthur
There’s an opportunity, but it surely’s a slim one. For one factor, the AFC is loaded. But the Jets’ actual drawback is that Zach Wilson is so dangerous that their offense is more likely to be hideous once more. In this period, groups can’t survive for lengthy with dangerous quarterback play and a low-octane offense. They’ll want the 2023 Jets protection to show into the 2000 Ravens D that famously carried Trent Dilfer and an terrible offense to a championship. This Jets protection is nice — actually, actually good — however they’re not traditionally good. At least not but. —Vacchiano
Greg Auman is FOX Sports’ NFC South reporter, protecting the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. He is in his tenth season protecting the Bucs and the NFL full-time, having frolicked on the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can comply with him on Twitter at @gregauman.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You can comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
Prior to becoming a member of FOX Sports because the AFC East reporter, Henry McKenna spent seven years protecting the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
Ralph Vacchiano is the NFC East reporter for FOX Sports, protecting the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He spent the earlier six years protecting the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years protecting the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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