Other than Justin Fields, no player is facing more heat in the NFL than Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
99.99% of Gang Green’s fan base wants him gone. Someone else who wants him gone just happens to be the greatest player in their franchise’s history.
Broadway Joe Namath made it clear how sick and “disgusted” he is with Wilson and hopes that the team can finally admit that he’s a bust and send him packing.
Video of Joe Namath ripping Zach Wilson and the #Jets organization.
Namath said his play was 'Disgusting' and suggested coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas should be replaced.
'Aren't picking the right players, aren't doing a good job of coaching'pic.twitter.com/BApoN4PlT7 https://t.co/n5BJxUGBpy
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 26, 2023
The harsh words made national headlines as the heat on Wilson ratcheted up to unprecedented levels.
Which is exactly why the football world was anxiously waiting to hear what Wilson’s good friend, and should-be starter, Aaron Rodgers had to say about the situation.
Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers addressed the adversity both Wilson and the team is facing as they sit at 1-2 with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs set to come to town.
“There’s adversity points in every season. This year, it’s happening early, and people are coming for us,” the four-time NFL MVP said.
"This is what teams have to go through and there's adversity points in every season..
I think we need to hold our poise a little bit better and it's really tough not being there with those guys" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/UYPFdmXKpz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 26, 2023
“The most important thing is winning. You saw what happened in Green Bay, they were down 17-0 and came back and won that game, an ugly game, 18-17. Doesn’t matter. It’s like, you win the game, that’s the most important thing.”
Winning is something the Jets have not done since their opening game of the season – and with Wilson at the helm, there is grave concern that the season is already slipping away.
Addressing Namath’s criticism of Wilson, Rodgers said: “I want to see us stick together through the tough times,” and stressed the importance of Wilson not letting the hate get to him.
“I said it to them during the preseason, our toughest task is going to be handling success, and that’s whether we’re having success or not having success … When we’re not having success, how do we respond? And that goes for our fan base and former players as well. You’re not helping the cause.”
"I'd like to see everybody stick together..
It's a long season and there's still a lot of things that can happen" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/acsDFY5u9I pic.twitter.com/lTsXbaf9SH
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 26, 2023
Rodgers acknowledged that it’s challenging not being on the field with his teammates during their struggles, saying: “It sucks not being there. It’s tough. It’s really hard. I miss the guys, I miss the leadership opportunity, miss balling and competing.”
“If I was there, some of those things wouldn’t be happening. Not sure we’d be 3-0. I’d like to think there’d be a possibility of that. But it’s more the side stuff that I don’t like.”
The New York market is known to be very tough, yet very realistic. There aren’t as many blind pom-pom wavers in the Tri-State area as there is Green Bay.
Even so, Rodgers pleaded with Jets fans to “stay behind our guys … Let’s support our guys. Let’s stick with our guys, and let’s have a little belief because as we saw this weekend, anybody can beat anybody.”
“I’ve already seen we’re almost double-digit underdogs at home against Kansas City, and they’re coming off a beatdown in Chicago and blah, blah, blah. It’s a home game, it’s ‘Sunday Night Football,’ it’s an opportunity for us to go out there and show what we’re all about.”
Easier said than done for some – especially with Wilson at quarterback.
Regarding his own recovery from his torn Achilles injury, Rodgers provided an update, stating: “It’s been operating. There’s been some good days and some bad days for sure.”
He highlighted his progress in recovery, including reduced swelling, increased mobility, and improved strength, emphasizing that it’s a gradual process.
"There's been some good days and some bad days for sure..
Last week was a good week of recovery and I'm making a lot of progress" @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Ltw6nzlAuT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 26, 2023
While it’s true that McAfee didn’t press Rodgers too much on Wilson’s struggles and all the venom being thrown his way, we did get a clear understanding of Rodgers’ outlook.
He seems to be in his “R-E-L-A-X” mode.
The problem is, as long as Wilson’s at quarterback, there is virtually no hope at turning the season around.
Everyone seems to realize that except head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.
Needless to say, it could be a very, very ugly scene at MetLife Stadium come Sunday night.
What are your thoughts on Wilson and the Jets quarterback situation?