Ex-NFL coach points out Aaron Rodgers wants to get cut after 'taking shots' at Jets owner
Former NFL coach Eric Mangini believes Aaron Rodgers is trying to push the New York Jets to cut him after a disappointing 2024 NFL season. This was the first campaign with Rodgers fully healthy after missing last year with a season-ending Achilles injury that hit him only four plays into the campaign.
During a conversation with Colin Cowherd on "The Herd," the former coach said that Rodgers' latest comments had a hidden meaning, as he's trying to force his way out of MetLife Stadium.
"On the Aaron front, you'd like to keep Aaron because you don't want to deal with that salary cap hit and be strapped with that. But Aaron's doing everything he can to get cut.
"The fact that Aaron brought up, brought up the 'I've never been cut by a teenager, I've never been released by a teenager,' that's a direct shot at the owner, that's legitimizing everything that's been said in that organization, that's making fun of how dysfunctional it is. So to me, as soon as he said that, that, in my mind, said he wants out," Mangini said.
The "teenager" comments refer to Woody Johnson's kids, who have reportedly had a big voice in the team's decisions. Even Joe Douglas voiced his discomfort with this situation, complaining that he was responding to people underage.
The Jets are living the full Aaron Rodgers experience now that he seems to be unhappy with the organization.
Aaron Rodgers seemingly took a jab at Woody Johnson while praising NFC North team's ownership for building a project
Aaron Rodgers caused a stir at the start of December when he praised the Detroit Lions' ownership for building a project and sticking to it despite getting off to a rough start.
"They started out the (2022) season 1-6. Do you remember what the sentiment was from the organization?" Rodgers asked. "They said (Brad Holmes) is our GM and Dan (Campbell) is our head coach. Since that statement was made, they have won a crazy amount of games."
"They finished the 2022 season on a high at 9-8. They went 12-5 in 2023. They're 11-1 this year, right? I can tell you that's not a coincidence. That (the statement) happened, and you've seen this shift. Because that's the energy that goes around the building," he added.
The Lions are now one of the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl while the Jets appear to be heading to an offseason full of changes.