Aaron Rodgers’ patience with the New York media is running out more than the Jets’ offensive line.
The 41-year-old quarterback was asked about the team’s 14-year playoff drought after the Jets were eliminated from postseason contention with Sunday’s 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins in Miami.
“This organization hasn’t made the playoffs in 14 straight years,” Newsday’s Tom Rock began. “That’s almost hard to do.”
That’s when Rodgers was quick to blurt out, “What’s the question?”
Undeterred, the veteran NFL reporter politely asked Rodgers to “think about that.”
Of course, Rodgers only entered last season, and he missed almost the entire season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. And while the Jets’ playoff drought is the longest in major American sports, only a fraction of the blame can fall on Rodgers, as he was quick to mention.
Aaron Rodgers had his first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years on Sunday.
“I mean, I’ve been here, I started a year,” Rodgers said. ‘So I’m part of this for a year. “It’s disappointing.”
Embattled Jets fans took unexpected joy in the exchange.
‘Rodgers is now part of a long and proud legacy!’ one commented on X.
“He’s not wrong,” another fan wrote. ‘How does he still manage to be an asshole?!’
Rodgers was sacked three times behind New York’s ragged offensive line on Sunday, but still posted his first 300-yard performance in nearly three years.
New York has failed to make the playoffs since 2010, when the team was led by head coach Rex Ryan, young quarterback Mark Sanchez, veterans D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Bart Scott, as well as future Hall members of Fame LaDainian Tomlinson and Darrelle Revis.
Not only did Gang Green qualify for its second consecutive postseason, but Ryan pulled off a historic playoff upset against the hated New England Patriots in Foxborough. If not for a heartbreaking 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship, the Jets would have played in Super Bowl XLV against Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Fast forward to Sunday’s overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins and the picture changes considerably. The 32-26 loss dropped New York to 3-10, eliminating interim coach Jeff Ulbrich’s team from postseason contention and putting Rodgers’ future with the team in further doubt.
“Thanks, I almost forgot since it’s not like we hear this literally every day,” one fan joked online after former ESPN host Trey Wingo reminded everyone of this fact.
Rodgers was sacked three times behind New York’s ragged offensive line on Sunday.
The Sabers face their own potential 14-year playoff drought if they can’t make the postseason this spring. Buffalo has rehired Lindy Ruff, the last coach who led the Sabers to the playoffs
Rex Ryan and Josh Mauga of the New York Jets celebrate a 23-20 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010. New York would make the playoffs that season.
Despite the disappointing season, some fans were encouraged by the loss, given its implications for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Also a first pick game, which is more important right now,” one man commented on X.
Many more fans of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabers were quick to mention that their favorite hockey team is no slouch. With an 11-13-3 record, the Sabres’ playoff drought could last 14 seasons if they fail to qualify this spring.
Interestingly, Buffalo has rehired Lindy Ruff, the coach who last guided the Sabers to the postseason in 2010-2011.
Ryan, meanwhile, has been open about his interest in rejoining the Jets after being fired after missing the playoffs every year from 2011 to 2014.
“I have some unfinished business with that franchise,” Ryan told Barstool Sports last month.
“You know, that particular franchise, my dad (Buddy Ryan) has been there forever, won a Super Bowl (as a defensive line coach) and is very close to me,” Ryan continued.
“I would do it again if I thought I could make a difference and I think I could make a big difference with that team.”