‘Let’s go all in’ – why it’s now or never for Rodgers & the Jets

This article was originally published on September 3, before the NFL season started. Rodgers and the Jets are off to a 2-2 record after a disappointing 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos last week.

At the start of the 2023 season, there was more hype surrounding the New York Jets than ever before.

Since winning Super Bowl 3 in 1969, the Jets’ history has been littered with calamities and disasters.

That would all change when they lured veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, from the Green Bay Packers.

Both sides craved a second Super Bowl appearance, but just four moments into his Jets career, disaster struck again when Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon.

The 40-year-old has now recovered and the Jets have strengthened what was already one of the strongest rosters in the NFL.

Before the start of the 2024 season, linebackers CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams told BBC Sport why the Jets feel now is the time to finally return to the big game.

Jets grew stronger in adversity

Rodgers’ injury put struggling youngster Zach Wilson back in the firing line and the Jets used four different starting quarterbacks over the course of last season.

They’ve still managed to post a 7-10 record – thanks in large part to their defense – and in Tyrod Taylor, the Jets have brought in a more experienced, reliable backup at QB, in case Rodgers is ruled out again.

Williams, 28, said: “(Last season) was a rollercoaster, but the most important thing is that the team stayed together regardless of the outside noise.

“We had some setbacks at the beginning of the season, but we all kept fighting. Every week the goal was to go 1-0. Sometimes we didn’t understand that, but we went into the next week with the same mentality.”

While Mosley says last season was ultimately “a failure,” the 32-year-old agrees that the adversity the Jets faced made them stronger.

“Aaron’s defeat was tough for the whole team, but you have to bounce back or regroup,” he added.

“A lot of things didn’t go the way we wanted, but we grew together. Somehow we were able to get back up and improve. We could have easily stopped, but we finished the year strong.

“I have a champion mentality and I made sure I kept my mentality right to lead the team. I kept playing all season like number eight (Rodgers) was still throwing the ball for us, so when he comes back there won’t be a shock if we put points on the board.”

Winning mentality instilled by Rodgers

After moving from the NFL’s smallest market to its largest, Rodgers threw himself into life in the Big Apple.

He may move in different circles than the rest of the Jets team, but as Mosley explains, he still functions as one of the guys.

“He is a special person,” he says. “He’s truly an A-list celebrity. You listen to some of his stories and it takes your breath away. He’ll casually mention that he’s hanging out with MJ (Michael Jordan).

“He doesn’t lead a normal life, but outside of that he is relaxed, very approachable and loves being with his teammates. It’s crazy that I can say he’s my boy.’

The Jets haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2010 season. Not only is it the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, it’s also the longest in American men’s sports.

But Rodgers has proven to be the leader they have been crying out for, creating a winning mentality among the players.

“He’s an energy person, man,” Williams adds. “As soon as he entered the facility, his energy was palpable. He’s also one of those gold jacket guys (future Hall of Famer), so everything he says, everything he criticizes, oh, we listen.

“The most important thing is that no matter where you are on the totem pole, he treats you the same: from the concierges to the owner.

‘If you have any questions, you can just ask him. If you want to train with him in the offseason, he says, “I’m here for you.” He even led the practice squad for us a few times (when he was injured).”

Short-term reinforcements have been deployed

Williams joined the Jets in 2021, the same year head coach Robert Saleh took over. Previously a defensive coordinator, he has built the Jets’ defense into one of the best in the NFL.

And while they struggled on offense last season, they have brought in a more reliable backup for Rodgers and found him more protection on the offensive line.

Not only did the Jets select Olu Fashanu with their first draft pick, but they also brought in veterans Morgan Moses, John Simpson and Tyron Smith.

They should give Rodgers more time to figure out receivers like new addition Mike Williams, who will provide a bigger downfield threat.

Most have signed short-term contracts, while Rodgers is not guaranteed to play until 2025. That’s why Williams says it’s “very important” that the Jets make the most of their opportunities this season.

“It’s our fourth year together, in terms of team and coaching staff,” he said. “The first two years were more of a search for us, we were kind of a young team.

“The third year was like, ‘Okay, let’s see what we got.’ Now I feel like it’s ‘okay everyone, let’s go all in.’ The time is now’. That’s the mentality we have now. The Super Bowl is the goal.”

The Jets have launched a new uniform for this season that is a nod to their dominant defense of the early 1980s known as the New York Sack Exchange.

Now Mosley, one of the Jets’ longest-serving players who signed in 2019, has challenged the current team to create their own legacy – as Super Bowl winners.

“It’s great to show respect for them, they had a lot of fun on the pitch,” he added. “Every time they had a big play, they were celebrating, and that’s what we have to do this year.

“We got ready to win a championship. Anything less than that and we’re wasting our time here. We want to do something special. It’s time to put some wins on the board and make things happen.”