Even Aaron Rodgers’ nonanswers say plenty.
One day after Rodgers praised the powerhouse Lions for the patience that their ownership showed in the early years of a rebuild around head coach Dan Campbell, the future Hall of Fame quarterback was asked how that compares to the Jets’ situation.
Rodgers asked a reporter if it was “a rhetorical question,” and then was reminded that Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start to his fourth season and later canned general manager Joe Douglas while he was operating on an expiring contract anyway.
“I don’t follow a lot of stuff, so I’d have to ask [the media]: Has there been a lot of public, supportive comments?” Rodgers said. “So, there’s your answer.”
After replacing Saleh with interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, Johnson said he wanted to give “one of the most-talented teams that has ever been ᴀssembled by the New York Jets … the most opportunity to win this season.” Instead, they are 1-6 since the season-defining change.
“I cited an example [in Detroit] that I’ve seen,” Rodgers said, referring back to a comment made during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“There were probably examples over the years in Green Bay both for — and maybe not as for — whoever was in charge. But I think an important part of ownership is to hire the right guys, set the vision and then support them when the outside world is trying to tear them down.”
Johnson issued a public vote of confidence for Saleh late last season, when the Jets were sputtering as Rodgers recovered from his season-ending torn Achilles in Week 1.
Johnson didn’t go back to that playbook, making Saleh the first of three NFL head coaches fired so far.
Rodgers, 41, has said many times that if he decides to play next season rather than retire, his “first choice” is to return to the Jets.
He is under contract through 2025, so parting ways in the offseason would leave the Jets with a $49 million ᴅᴇᴀᴅ charge on the salary cap.
Has anyone who has heard Rodgers’ comments relayed that the feeling is mutual?
“A lot of people have, yeah. Not the people who are making those decisions,” Rodgers said. “There will be a conversation at some point. Listen, if they say they want to move on, that’s great. Fantastic. But if they say they want me to play, I’ll consider it.”
If the Jets are looking at Rodgers’ final five games — beginning Sunday against the Dolphins — as some kind of audition to prove he should stay, then the marriage already might be unsalvageable.
“I think that’s ridiculous, with all due respect,” Rodgers said. “If they want me to stay, fantastic. If it takes these five games, maybe they don’t know what I bring to the table. That being said, I’d love to play really friggin’ well these last five games.”
Rodgers’ stat line isn’t indicative of a 3-9 record.
Rodgers has completed 62.5 percent of his pᴀsses for 218.9 yards per game with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
But there have been too many plays left on the table — like a missed touchdown to an open Garrett Wilson in last week’s loss — and five losses when the Jets had the ball with a chance to win in the final minutes but didn’t score.
“I just re-did my house here in Jersey,” Rodgers said. “So, my goal was to play a few more years here. We’ll see. I’d like to be healthy and I’d like to end on my feet. I’d like to play well. I’d like to feel like I’m wanted back. If not, I will not be offended. I won’t be upset. I’ll be so thankful either way whatever happens here.”
Rodgers only has started four games when his team was eliminated from playoff contention during his career: Two as a first-year starter in 2008 and two in 2018.
The Jets will be eliminated Sunday with a loss or tie against the Dolphins, but Rodgers wants to play in all 17 games to feed his compeтιтiveness, his obligation to teammates and his sense of overcoming last year’s injury.
“That’s what you do when you’re a professional,” Rodgers said. “The most important ability you can have is availability, which I wasn’t available last year. I love to play the games.”
Rodgers’ plan is to take “a month to get away” from football after the season to decide if he wants to keep playing.
By that time, the Jets should have a new head coach and general manager in place.
“I have to be healthy mentally and physically, and there has to be interest on both sides,” Rodgers said. “If that’s not the case, I’ll look at other options. We’ll see what happens.”