With the New York Jets’ playoff chances now a distant hope, it seems their high-stakes gamble on Aaron Rodgers has turned into a spectacular misfire. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky didn’t mince words following the Jets’ stunning 25-22 Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots, calling Rodgers’ acquisition “one of the worst in NFL history.”
Rodgers’ performance in Week 8, against one of the only teams the Jets have managed to defeat this season, saw him complete 17 of 28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his respectable stats, the loss etched a new mark in NFL history: the Jets became the first team since 1940 to lose a game in which they scored over 20 points, committed zero turnovers, and held their opponent to under 250 yards of offense. Prior to this, teams in these circumstances held a 756-0 record, which the Jets have now turned into a shocking 756-1.
Since acquiring Rodgers in April 2023, the Jets have managed only two wins while enduring constant off-field drama fueled by Rodgers’ erratic comments and regular media appearances. Orlovsky remarked, “The Jets lost a game that is impossible to lose. It’s impossible to have a box score like they did and lose that game yesterday.”
Now sitting at 2-6, the Jets would have to go on an improbable 8-1 run to contend for a Wild Card spot—an outcome that looks all but impossible. This dismal trajectory leaves the franchise facing tough questions about Rodgers’ future and a likely “cleaning house” at season’s end.
The Jets’ next chance to salvage a shred of pride comes in Week 9, when they host the Houston Texans on Halloween night for Thursday Night Football. With the stakes high and time running out, New York’s gamble on Rodgers is set to be tested once again, potentially bringing this costly experiment to its bitter conclusion.
