NFL analyst claims ‘teenager’ shot at Woody Johnson allows Aaron Rodgers to ‘paint himself as the victim’
Aaron Rodgers has not been afraid to raise the tension in the room before. As things wind down with the New York Jets for 2024, the Jets quarterback once again has made a public statement seemingly against the owner who brought him aboard.
"I've never been released before. So being released to be at first being released by a teenager, that would also be a first. I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, it's a great story," Rodgers said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show. [01:27:01:44].
The reference was to the viral story claiming that the Jets refused to trade for Jerry Jeudy because Woody Johnson's son didn't like his NFL Madden 24 rating. Speaking in response to the quip on Tuesday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," NFL analyst Mike Florio claimed Rodgers' shot was to position himself to be the victim.
"He's setting this up, so they have to make the first move because I think he's hoping that they tell him 'we don't want you back,' which allows him to paint himself as the victim in all of this," Florio said (2:12).
"He talks about a great story. Here's a great story. He gets cut by a teenager and then he goes to another team and has the kind of year that makes people say, 'Man, the Jets really don't know what they're doing,'" Florio added. [00:03:07][55.2] PFT
The Jerry Jeudy Madden rating wasn't the only thing. Former Jets quarterback Mike White was painted as the victim of a hostile interaction with Woody Johnson in 2022 in the report by The Athletic.
As such, Florio's logic may argue that Rodgers, having read that report in addition to the Jerry Jeudy section, is inviting a similar interaction with Johnson.
Aaron Rodgers given potential opportunity to end Jets tenure memorably in back-to-back games
While the 2024 season will be remembered as arguably the biggest stain on Aaron Rodgers' resume, he still has a chance to leave with an impression. Over the next two weeks, Rodgers faces the red-hot Buffalo Bills and the potentially surging Miami Dolphins.
Defeating Josh Allen in any scenario ranks highly on any quarterback's list of accomplishments in 2024. However, perhaps the longer-lasting memory could be upsetting the Miami Dolphins and ruining their playoff bid.
If the Dolphins win, they still have a chance to make the postseason. However, if they make it to Week 18 and succumb to the rival Jets to miss the playoffs, Rodgers will leave Jets fans with a positive vibe to end the year. However, would that be enough to allow the quarterback to return in 2025?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," "The Pat McAfee Show," and H/T Sportskeeda.