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Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL offseason power rankings: No. 28 New York Jets start over after failed Aaron Rodgers experiment
Aaron Rodgers wasn't bad last season. He wasn't at an MVP level and consistency was an issue, but he wasn't the New York Jets' biggest problem. He was a middle of the road quarterback, which allegedly was all the Jets needed to be a playoff team. The Jets got better at quarterback from the dreck they had been used to the two seasons prior, and their record somehow got worse. The collapse of everything around the Jets, leading to an extension of the longest playoff drought in American professional sports, was an indictment of the franchise. Moving on from the Rodgers era, which was full of hype and excitement and resulted in five wins in games Rodgers started, isn't a quick fix. The Jets went all-in and missed. Now it starts all over. Advertisement Aaron Glenn seems to be a good hire to lead the rebuild. The new Jets head coach has already done well handling a tough market and also an uncomfortable Rodgers situation. Rodgers felt put out when he flew across the country to meet with the Jets, just to be greeted with a no-nonsense 15-minute meeting. Glenn and new Jets general manager Darren Mougey told Rodgers they were moving on and didn't ask for Rodgers' input on the direction of the franchise, which Rodgers thought he'd provide. Glenn and Mougey didn't want to hear it. The meeting was short, sweet and to the point. Plenty of fans probably appreciated the new Jets brass after that story, especially after dealing with plenty of Rodgers drama and the franchise bending over backward for him. Justin Fields is the next quarterback, a fairly low-cost gamble that the Jets can easily move on from if it doesn't work out. The Jets have plenty of talented players, which was the reason they had hopes for a big season last year if Rodgers was simply an average quarterback. The Jets have a miserable ownership situation with Woody Johnson, and that will be a constant obstacle, but there are some seeds of optimism. The Jets first have to figure out what went wrong last season. The defense had a startling downturn. Breece Hall was expected to break out in his third season but was a disappointment, which held back the run game. The Jets made the astonishingly bad move to trade a third-round pick (92nd overall) for Davante Adams after falling to 2-4, and the Jets' passing game was mediocre with him. It's unlikely to be better with Fields replacing Rodgers and Adams off to the Rams. There were major organizational failures that led to the Jets somehow going from 7-10 with Zach Wilson at quarterback to 5-12 with Rodgers playing much better than Wilson ever did. Mougey and Glenn are the in charge of changing that, though they're far from the first group to try in this miserable era of Jets football. Rodgers was supposed to break the Jets' streak of not making the playoffs, but it's alive at 14 seasons. And the worst part of coming up woefully short after that big move is the Jets might shift back near square one. Offseason grade The Jets had to clean house after acquiring plenty of aging veterans for their shot at glory with Aaron Rodgers. Players like Rodgers, Davante Adams, Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, C.J. Mosley, Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Reed and Haason Reddick might be either past their primes or priced themselves out of a Jets return, but that's a lot of talent to lose in one offseason. The Jets' only notable additions in free agency were Justin Fields, which was necessary to have a reasonable quarterback Week 1, and defensive backs Brandon Stephens and Andre Cisco. The draft brought offensive tackle Armand Membou, tight end Mason Taylor and cornerback Azareye'h Thomas with the team's three top-100 picks, which was fine. The Jets got a lot younger this offseason, which had to happen. The Jets had the most roster turnover in the NFL over the offseason, according to Over the Cap. It's just hard to buy that the Jets' roster is better than at the end of last season. Advertisement Grade: D Quarterback report Justin Fields didn't come into the NFL as a run-first quarterback, but that's how he has been cast after four seasons. Fields ran for 1,143 yards for the Chicago Bears in 2022, and that has become a dangerous part of his game. What if he can develop as a passer? Fields took some strides last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His on-target percentage of throws was 75%, which was a career best and near the league average of 75.9% via Pro Football Reference. His percentage of bad throws, via PFR, was a career best 15.8%, only 0.1% off the league average. His completion percentage of 65.8% was 4.4% better than his previous career best. Fields just turned 26 years old, so there is time for him to grow. If Fields can be a league-average passer and combine that with the elite running skills he has shown, the Jets' two-year, $40 million gamble will be a good one. BetMGM odds breakdown From Yahoo's Ben Fawkes: 'A new season brings yet another new quarterback for the Jets, as Justin Fields looks to prove that he can be a long-term starter at the position. New York is favored in only two games this season, including one of the biggest spreads of the season: +11.5 at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. The Jets haven't made the postseason since 2010, but at +475 odds at BetMGM, oddsmakers don't think this is the year to break the streak. New York has a low win total (5.5) again this season and has gone under in six of the past seven seasons." Yahoo's fantasy take From Yahoo's Scott Pianowski: 'Justin Fields might never be a great NFL quarterback. He has a major sack problem, and he won just 10 of 38 games as the Chicago starter. That said, Fields is a gifted runner and he's tied to a Jets team that can probably play to his strengths. And given that Tyrod Taylor is the backup, Fields probably begins the year with a fair amount of job security. New York's receiver group isn't deep, but at least Fields had experience — and success — with WR Garrett Wilson in college. Given how fantasy leagues score quarterback rushing production, Fields looks like a screaming value with a modest global ADP of QB15." Stat to remember The Jets will be a run-heavy team. One quick look at the personnel, including starting at quarterback, tells you that. That should be good news for a Breece Hall bounce-back, but after last season it's hard to know what to make of Hall. Hall was supposed to be a star last season in a good offense, but he was ineffective. Hall played in 16 games yet had just 876 yards rushing. The advanced stats aren't much kinder. Can Breece Hall have a bounce-back season for the Jets after a disappointing 2024? (Photo by) (Luke Hales via Getty Images) Among players with at least 200 carries last season, only D'Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor had a lower Pro Football Focus grade. His six fumbles were tied for the second most among NFL running backs. His production in the passing game fell, with eight drops that tied for the NFL lead among RBs (via PFF), and his yards per carry dipped for the second straight season. Hall averaged 5.8 yards as a rookie, 4.5 yards in 2023 and 4.2 last season. Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Hall will split carries with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis in a three-man committee. In a perfect scenario Hall would pull away from that group as he shows the form he had as a rookie before tearing his ACL, and again late in his second season. After last season, it's hard to depend on that. Burning question What happened to the Jets' defense? The Jets were sixth in defensive DVOA in 2022, third in 2023 and then fell to 20th last season. The reasons for the drop were multifold. Just about every player on defense took a step back from their typical level, including former All-Pros in cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The unit went into a slide after head coach Robert Saleh was fired five games into the season. Saleh is a fantastic defensive coach and the defense slipped when coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was promoted to interim head coach. There were injuries. The Jets had the sixth-most adjusted games lost on defense due to injury last season, according to FTN Fantasy. The big plays evaporated. The Jets had just seven interceptions, and two came in Week 18. The Jets blew numerous fourth-quarter leads, in part because the pass rush wasn't consistent. Haason Reddick was a big disappointment, starting with his offseason holdout. The Jets needed Reddick to be a consistent producer, and he had one sack all season. Advertisement The Jets were good at keeping offenses from piling up yards — they were tied for eighth in pass yards per play allowed and tied for fifth in rush yards per play allowed — so that's a reason to believe in a rebound. Aaron Glenn did very good work orchestrating the Detroit Lions' defense, so that's another plus. If the Jets defense bounces back to its levels from 2022 and 2023, maybe there will be a big rebound overall. Best-case scenario The Jets were bad last season, but talent really wasn't the issue. The roster had plenty of good players, albeit some aging ones. The young core of the Jets — defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, cornerback Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson, running back Breece Hall, pass rushers Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson, linebacker Jamien Sherwood and an offensive line with three first-round picks and one second-round pick — is impressive if they all play to their talent level. Aaron Glenn was a good hire and could prove to be a culture changer, which the Jets obviously need. If the defense's fall last season was a fluke and it gets back in the top 10, and a new-look offense with Justin Fields at QB is effective, it's not out of the question for a much younger Jets team to be a big surprise. The numerous fourth-quarter collapses and injuries are very unlikely to repeat. Simply turning the page to a new year and leaving last season's debacle in the past might be enough to spark a turnaround. Nightmare scenario There's a reason the Bears moved on from Justin Fields and the Steelers were eager to replace him with Russell Wilson last season. He hasn't proven to be a good enough passer to carry an effective offense. The Jets know what life is like with bad quarterback play, and what if that's paired with a defense that doesn't bounce all the way back to its 2022-23 level? Aaron Glenn was a good hire but he's an unknown as a head coach, and there was something so off with the 2024 Jets that it might not be easily fixable. Another year of malaise with a new coach, quarterback and a younger roster would indicate that the Jets' playoff drought is probably going to last a while longer. The crystal ball says Even though the Jets are ranked low, after a miserable season with a lot of offseason attrition and a potential downgrade at quarterback, there are reasons to believe the Jets could be much better than expected. Last season's failure was confounding when you consider how many good players the Jets have. It's tough to be too optimistic about the Jets coming into the season, but Aaron Glenn could prove to be the type of coach who gets the most out of his team and also handles the New York market well. New York deserves to be ranked near the bottom to start the season because there are so many questions, but the Jets could rise quickly. Just not enough to finally make it back to the playoffs.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aaron Rodgers spotted solo on Malibu beach as mystery surrounds secret marriage
Aaron Rodgers (via Getty Images) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can enjoy the offseason sunshine while the fans are left scratching their heads with more questions than answers after NFL sensation Aaron Rodgers was seen walking alone on Malibu's picturesque coast this week. Although a wedding ring still adorns his finger, his wife is nowhere to be seen; rumors are still rife about Aaron Rodgers' impromptu wedding, which he only hinted at so briefly with a ring flash at the Kentucky Derby in early spring. Aaron Rodgers has a Malibu outing by himself while his wife stays out of sight Aaron Rodgers was seen basking in Southern California sunlight during a mid-week stroll on the beach in Malibu. Dressed in a sleeveless shirt, sunglasses, and headphones, Aaron Rodgers walked by himself. While his left hand flashed the same wedding ring that caused raised eyebrows at Churchill Downs in May, there was no indication of his newlywed wife. The secret around Aaron Rodgers' marital status has only intensified since his low-profile announcement. The headphones he wore during the stroll added to the mystery, making his fans wonder if he was talking to his partner during a phone call from afar. Or was it just a moment of individual contemplation before the drudgery of training camp sets in? Rodgers' union is another installment in his mercurial off-field character. From surprise proposals to mysterious interviews and surprise trades, the quarterback has fans and foes alike remaining on their toes. As the Pittsburgh Steelers' new signal-caller gears up for next season, eyes are focused not only on his play behind center but also on the woman who might be sitting in the stands. Also read: 'Bro got a tattoo of what he saw while tripping': Aaron Rodgers' tattoo resurfaces and fans go wild Aaron Rodgers' peaceful Malibu walk might have provided a respite of tranquility, but it only helped fuel the increasing rumors about his personal life. With merely months left before he dons the jersey of the Pittsburgh Steelers this September, fans are curious as to whether his enigmatic wife will now emerge from the shadows or continue to be that very enigma. Whichever the case, Rodgers is still a maestro of suspense on and off the gridiron. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I don't see a wedding ring": Aaron Rodgers' solo beach walk in Malibu reignites mystery amid 'fake marriage' speculation
Aaron Rodgers enjoys solo Malibu beach day amid 'fake marriage' speculation (Getty Images) Aaron Rodgers has always been one of the NFL's most enigmatic figures, but his latest chapter off the field has fans and insiders equally puzzled. The 41-year-old quarterback, who recently signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was spotted taking a barefoot walk along the Malibu shoreline on Wednesday—wedding band on, but wife nowhere in sight. Aaron Rodgers goes solo in Malibu, sparking fresh rumors about his hush-hush relationship The sighting comes just weeks after Aaron Rodgers stunned the football world by casually announcing during a Steelers practice that he had gotten married "a couple months ago." The revelation raised eyebrows not just because of its suddenness but also due to the absence of any public record or official confirmation of the ceremony. Rodgers, known for his fiercely guarded personal life, had previously shared on The Pat McAfee Show in December that he was in a relationship with a woman named Brittani, who reportedly does not have any social media. Since then, however, little has been publicly seen or heard about her. And now, insiders are questioning whether a formal wedding ever even took place. Multiple sources told Daily Mail that friends and even close family members were blindsided by Rodgers' marriage announcement. 'They know nothing' about the woman he married, one insider revealed. Public records in both Pennsylvania—where Rodgers was rumored to have moved—and Las Vegas—another likely wedding hotspot—reportedly show no legal documentation of a marriage involving the quarterback. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Fueling speculation further, Rodgers' estranged brother Jordan and his wife JoJo were notably absent from the supposed wedding. The tension between the siblings is well documented, with Aaron having skipped Jordan's wedding back in 2022. Now, it's being suggested that Rodgers might have had a symbolic "commitment ceremony" rather than a legally binding wedding. Now, netizens also have some questions in their mind regarding the veteran QB's wedding. While the mystery surrounding his marital status deepens, Rodgers seems unbothered. Dressed in a white tank top, blue shorts, and wired headphones, the four-time MVP enjoyed the ocean breeze alone, giving the impression of a man at peace—or perhaps one deep in thought. Professionally, Rodgers is preparing to lead a new era in Pittsburgh after his brief stint with the Jets ended earlier this year. Despite the Jets' disappointing 5-12 record last season, his performance—28 touchdowns and nearly 3,900 yards—was strong enough for some analysts to call the Steelers' acquisition of him a 'steal.' He'll have a chance to prove that in dramatic fashion, as Pittsburgh is set to face the Jets in Week 1 in New York. As for Rodgers' mysterious wife? Whether she's simply choosing to stay out of the spotlight or the story is more complex than it appears, one thing's for sure—this offseason drama might rival anything that happens on the field come September. Also Read: Josh Allen calls himself 'a Hollywood actor' as the reigning NFL MVP leans into stardom with his latest sleep-aid commercial Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaire Alexander, Aaron Rodgers will get re-acquainted this year
Former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson isn't the only player with whom former Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander will be reunited in 2025. With Alexander joining the Ravens, he'll see former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers twice this year. Advertisement The Steelers and Ravens cross paths in Week 14 and Week 18. Alexander and Rodgers spent five years together in Green Bay. Each surely picked up a thing or two about the other during their time on the practice field. Alexander will also cross paths with the four teams he knows best — the Packers and his former NFC North rivals. Including the Vikings and receiver Justin Jefferson. Of course, all of this hinges on Alexander staying healthy. Which he hasn't done over the past two years, resulting in Alexander missing 20 total regular-season games.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL insider says Steelers OC Arthur Smith building offense for Aaron Rodgers
The ongoing saga of the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally came to an end just before the start of Steelers mandatory minicamp. Rodgers adds talent and stability to the quarterback position but this is what we thought about Russell Wilson last season. What will make this time different? First, Rodgers is probably a better player at this stage of his career than Wilson. In addition, and maybe even more important, is that this time around, the Steelers might be doing more to tailor the offense to Rodgers than they ever did for Wilson or even Justin Fields. This is according to NFL reporter Albert Breer. Breer offered up some fascinating information about the days and weeks leading up to the Steelers signing of Rodgers. Advertisement According to Breer, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith reached out to Matt LeFleur and Todd Downing to get insight on the types of things Rodgers likes from an offense. LeFleur and Downing have both been offensive playcallers for Rodgers in recent years and they both have history with Smith from his time with the Tennessee Titans. Based on what Breer said, we can infer that Smith plans to build an offense around Rodgers skills and what he likes as opposed to just trying to shoehorn Rodgers into his scheme like the team did with Wilson last season. We are confident Rodgers is going to do what he thinks is best on the field and he will have the support of the coaching staff. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: NFL insider says Steelers OC Arthur Smith building offense for Aaron Rodgers
