Frustration is certainly starting to set in for the New York Jets following a 1-2 start after their 15-10 loss to the New York Jets in Week 3. Some of that frustration has been public, such as running back Michael Carter arguing with running backs coach Taylor Embree while some, one would think, is private. Either way, it’s been building.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t here for any of that bickering.
“This is what teams have to go through,” Rodgers said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show, via CBS Sports. “There’s adversity points in every season. This year, it’s happening early and people are coming for us. There’s some heated conversations on the sideline and different things. I think we need to hold our poise a little better, really just offensively. We need to not have some of things happen on the sideline and to be a little better and just be a little better competitors.”
Rodgers added that most important thing is winning and that it’s not always going to be pretty, noting how his former team, the Green Bay Packers, erased a 17-0 fourth-quarter deficit to win 18-17.
“Doesn’t (expletive) matter. It’s like, you win the game, that’s the most important thing. However you’ve got to get it done,” Rodgers said. “There’s been, I think, too many little side conversations and we just need to grow up a little bit more on offense, and lock in, and do our jobs, everybody, and not pointing fingers at each other, the coaching staffs, each other. Just get back to work, get the job done.”
Rodgers didn’t stop at just the bickering between Jets teammates and coaches, he even went after Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath for his recent comments on quarterback Zach Wilson.
“I want to see us stick together through the tough times,” Rodgers said. “I said it to them during the preseason, our toughest task is going to be handling success, and that’s whether we’re having success or not having success.”
Rodgers added: “When we’re not having success, how do we respond? And that goes for our fan base and former players as well. You’re not helping the cause.”
Rodgers has been like a big brother to everyone on the Jets, including Wilson. He wishes he could be there with Wilson during this time but did say Wilson has to “find a way to block out some of that noise.”
Rodgers has a message for the Jets and Jets fans as the team prepares for Sunday night’s showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Let’s stay behind our guys. Let’s support our guys,” Rodgers said. “Let’s support the boys on the field. Let’s stick with our guys, and let’s have a little belief, because as we saw this weekend, anybody can beat anybody.
“I’ve already seen we’re almost double-digit underdogs at home against Kansas City, and they’re coming off a beatdown in Chicago and blah, blah, blah. It’s a home game, it’s ‘Sunday Night Football,’ it’s an opportunity for us to go out there and show what we’re all about.”