New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson compared Aaron Rodgers going down with major injury to having his arm chopped off.
Johnson made that remark in part due to his feelings over Zach Wilson, with Johnson saying the team did not have a backup quarterback last season.
In the blockbuster trade of last offseason, Rodgers was dealt from the Packers to the Jets, supplanting Wilson as the team’s No 1 quarterback. That was less than two years after New York selected Wilson with the No 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Last spring and summer was filled with fanfare over the four-time MVP and how the addition of Rodgers brought the Jets from an average team to Super Bowl contenders.
Rodgers’ first year as a Jet lasted four plays, as he tore his Achilles during the team’s first offensive possession of the season.
After being featured on ‘Hard Knocks’ and a lot of expectations, Rodgers tore his Achilles
Johnson, left, has thrown his full support behind Rodgers and away from Wilson in New York
Wilson took over for Rodgers and led New York to a Week 1 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
The good times were not here to stay, as Wilson only started 11 games for the Jets in 2023. He was benched after a Week 11 loss to Buffalo for Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle.
Wilson is still under contract with the team, while Rodgers turned 40 in December and stayed in the headlines with weekly rants on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’.
‘What does it feel like having your arm chopped off?’ Johnson said on the pain of seeing Rodgers injury.
‘I think there’s going to be a lot of excitement because Aaron came back and he spent a lot of time with the guys on the sidelines even though he wasn’t playing, which shows how much he cares about the players,’ Woody’s wife, Suzanne Johnson said.
‘And I think they feel such a kinship to him due to the fact that he’s there and he shepherded them through,’ Suzanne added.
Johnson spoke to reporters in Las Vegas this week about the future of the Jets, which he owns
Then came questions about the Jets overall roster and the team’s needs. Woody Johnson went out of his way to take a shot at Wilson.
‘We need a backup quarterback, didn’t have one last year,’ Johnson said.
Even with Rodgers’ age, it appears from the top down, New York will go as Rodgers goes. Wilson looks to have as little support from the team he plays for as ever.