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New York Jets News & Rumors

Aaron Rodgers Unlikely To Play This Season

December 3rd, 2023 at 11:02am CST by Ben Levine

DECEMBER 3: In keeping with Rodgers’ comments, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Rodgers is not expected to play in a game if the Jets are eliminated from playoff contention by the time he is ready to do so. The 4-7, Tim Boyle-piloted Jets are unlikely to pull themselves back into the postseason picture over the next couple of weeks, which means, as Rapoport observes, that Rodgers probably will not play this year.

For all of Rodgers’ efforts to make an unprecedented return to the field, this always felt like the most plausible outcome. Rapoport says that New York could still activate Rodgers before his activation window closes on December 20, but if that happens, he would only be utilized as the third, emergency QB. And, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers will not take any starter reps.

NOVEMBER 30: The Jets opened Aaron Rodgers‘ practice window yesterday, giving the team three weeks to decide if they should activate the quarterback to the active roster. As ESPN’s Rich Cimini points out, many believed that Rodgers could be eyeing a return for the December 24 game against the Commanders, and the QB confirmed that’s his target. However, when speaking to reporters today, Rodgers wouldn’t rule out an earlier return, noting that “anything is possible.”

[RELATED: Jets Open Aaron Rodgers’ Practice Window]

Of course, there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome before Rodgers can enter the starting lineup. While the QB acknowledged how great it felt to return to the practice field, he admitted that he’s “not anywhere near ready to play.” Rodgers also reiterated that the Jets would have to be in playoff contention for him (or the organization) to consider a return this season.

“A comeback this year before the four-month mark would mean I’m not 100 percent healthy, so it’d be a risk for myself,” Rodgers said (via Cimini). “For the team to sign off on if we’re out of it, I’d be surprised if they would OK that to come back.”

While Rodgers noted the “risk” that would accompany an in-season return, he explained that the chance of re-injury wouldn’t have much of an impact on his 2024 availability. While he wouldn’t be 100 percent healthy, Rodgers said there was little “downside” to playing this year, and if he did injure his Achilles, he’d be ready to go in five to six months anyway (per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic).

While the risk of re-injury won’t have any impact on Rodgers’ desire to play in 2024, it’s uncertain if the Jets’ brass would change his opinion. Per Connor Hughes of SNYtv, Rodgers wouldn’t say if his 2024 plans are tied to the job status of head coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and/or general manager Joe Douglas.

Rodgers returned to practice on a limited basis yesterday, participating in a handful of seven-on-seven drills. Rodgers sat out today’s practice, and Cimini tweets that these off-days are part of the player’s rehab plan.

“Obviously, I can drop back, I can do some things in a small circle, but I don’t think I can protect myself as well as I’d like to at this point,” Rodgers said. “So I’ve got to do a little more. In practice, I have to take live team reps [in 11 on 11].”

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/23

December 2nd, 2023 at 4:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s gameday callups and minor moves heading into Sunday:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Chiefs have ruled out running back Jerick McKinnon for tomorrow’s game against the Packers, necessitating some extra depth at the position. The team will turn to Prince, an undrafted free agent who has spent the entire season on Kansas City’s practice squad. Prince had a breakout season at Tulsa in 2022, finishing with 813 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.

Winfrey, a 2022 fourth-round pick, was cut by the Browns last July after being investigated for pulling a gun on a woman. He joined the Jets practice squad in early November and will finally earn his first promotion of the season. Winfrey got into 13 games for Cleveland last year, collecting 22 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

At age 36, Irvin will be making his debut for a sixth NFL team. The veteran pass rusher signed with Detroit midway through November and will finally have a chance to extend his streak of regular season appearances to 12 straight years. The only absence on the Lions’ front-seven will be linebacker Alex Anzalone, so Detroit may be looking to stand Irvin up to help the team’s depth at linebacker.

 

Jets, S Adrian Amos Part Ways

December 2nd, 2023 at 11:15am CST by Ben Levine

Adrian Amos‘ stint with the Jets has apparently come to an end. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jets and the veteran safety have “mutually agreed to part ways.”

Assuming Amos is subsequently cut, he’ll have to pass through waivers. Per Pelissero, Amos is “healthy and ready to contribute down the stretch.”

Following a four-year stint with the Packers, Amos joined the Jets this past offseason on a one-year, $1.75MM deal. He joined the organization following offseason acquisition Chuck Clark‘s season-ending ACL tear.

The veteran started the season as the third safety behind Jordan Whitehead and Tony Adams. When Adams was forced to miss time, Amos slid into the starting lineup, including a two-week stretch where he appeared in 140 of the team’s 142 defensive snaps.

However, with Adams back and the likes of Jamien Sherwood and Ashtyn Davis earning more playing time, Amos has fallen down the depth chart. Since he got into 68 defensive snaps in Week 4, Amos has been limited to only 62 defensive snaps over the last seven games. The 30-year-old has also contributed on special teams, leading to 23 tackles in his 11 appearances.

Prior to his stint in New York, Amos was a dependable part of the Packers and Bears secondary. He finished the 2022 campaign with a career-high 102 tackles, an indication that he’s still got something left in the tank. There’s a chance a contender looks to snag the vet off waivers, but Amos could have his pick of landing spots if he hits free agency.

Updated 2024 NFL Draft Order

December 1st, 2023 at 1:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

With Week 13 underway, the picture at the top of the NFL draft board continues to become clearer. Plenty is yet to be determined with respect to the top of the order, however.

The Panthers’ ongoing struggles led to Frank Reich‘s firing, but the Bears own Carolina’s top pick this year due to the 2023 swap which landed Bryce Young via the No. 1 selection. Chicago being able to have the top pick once again – coupled with their own selection landing in the top-10 – would make the Bears a team to watch closely come April. The race for the top two or three slots (and, as such, the ability to draft QBs Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, along with wideout Marvin Harrison Jr.) will also be a key late-season storyline for the Cardinals and Patriots.

The Commanders have lost three straight games, overshadowing a promising season from first-year starter Sam Howell. After deciding to move on from defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the trade deadline, the team’s defense has continued to struggle. DC Jack Del Rio is out as a result, and head coach Ron Rivera‘s position is not believed to be on strong footing. A top-five pick could make the job in Washington more attractive presuming a opening arises this offseason.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2024 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is an updated look at the current draft order:

  1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers)
  2. Arizona Cardinals: 2-10
  3. New England Patriots: 2-9
  4. Chicago Bears: 4-8
  5. Washington Commanders: 4-8
  6. New York Giants: 4-8
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-7
  8. New York Jets: 4-7
  9. Los Angeles Chargers: 4-7
  10. Tennessee Titans: 4-7
  11. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-7
  12. New Orleans Saints: 5-6
  13. Green Bay Packers: 5-6
  14. Los Angeles Rams: 5-6
  15. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-6
  16. Buffalo Bills: 6-6
  17. Arizona Cardinals (via Texans)
  18. Denver Broncos: 6-5
  19. Atlanta Falcons: 5-6
  20. Minnesota Vikings: 6-6
  21. Seattle Seahawks: 6-6
  22. Indianapolis Colts: 6-5
  23. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-4
  24. Houston Texans (via Browns)
  25. Miami Dolphins: 8-3
  26. Detroit Lions: 8-3
  27. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-3
  28. Dallas Cowboys: 9-3
  29. Kansas City Chiefs: 8-3
  30. San Francisco 49ers: 8-3
  31. Baltimore Ravens: 9-3
  32. Philadelphia Eagles: 10-1

Jets Open Aaron Rodgers’ Practice Window

November 29th, 2023 at 10:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Continuing to brief the public on his surprising effort to make an in-season return from an Achilles tear, Aaron Rodgers will take a pivotal step. The Jets are preparing to open their quarterback’s practice window Wednesday.

This transaction will give the Jets three weeks to determine if Rodgers makes sense as a candidate to come off IR. Going down four plays into his Jets tenure, Rodgers has insisted he wants to return. The future Hall of Famer underwent a speed-bridge surgery to repair the injury, and the operation is believed to allow for a quicker path back. So far, that has proven true.

Rodgers has stopped short of guaranteeing he will be back, citing the Jets’ playoff chances. But he has also not ruled out rejoining a team out of contention. With the Jets 4-7, this looms as a curious comeback effort. Though, the team will follow through with the first part of it.

During his most recent Pat McAfee Show-based update, Rodgers reaffirmed (via the Washington Post’s Mark Maske) hopes to return but determined he was not ready to make a full determination on coming back this season. Although Rodgers pried the door back open regarding a comeback for a team without legitimate playoff aspirations, he again said the Jets’ record will be a factor. ESPN’s FPI gives Gang Green a 0.4% chance to make the playoffs. That would seemingly point to the soon-to-be 40-year-old passer storing his cleats and preparing for the offseason program, but he will begin to see how he feels in practice.

An activation would mark a historic comeback from an Achilles tear. Players have come back from Achilles ruptures in the not-so-distant past — just not this quickly. Then-Rams running back Cam Akers went down in July 2021 but was back by Week 17. Terrell Suggs and Michael Crabtree, respectively, suffered tears during the spring of 2012 and 2013, respectively. The Ravens linebacker and 49ers wide receiver each came back during the season. Suggs was back by Oct. 21, 2012; Crabtree returned Dec. 1, 2013.

While Rodgers’ position is not predicated as much on athleticism, coming back around three months after an Achilles tear would be a significant NFL accomplishment. Even returning to practice in-season is notable as far as Achilles recoveries go. It reminds of Jerry Rice‘s 1997 timetable. The legendary wideout suffered a partially torn ACL in Week 1 of his 13th season but was back in uniform for San Francisco’s Week 16 matchup with Denver. Rice scored a touchdown upon returning but was lost for the season after reinjuring the knee during that Monday-night game, hurting the eventual No. 1-seeded team’s Super Bowl chances. The Jets’ 2023 season will not stand to complicate a Rodgers return, as the team’s recent struggles make this more about one player’s quest than a return that impacts the AFC playoff race.

Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Rodgers has been cleared for functional football activity and added the 19th-year veteran returning to practice now would not jeopardize his long-term outlook. Rodgers almost definitely would not be signing off on this if he feared a reinjury, one that would impact his 2024 status, and will only come back upon receiving full clearance, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini notes. Saleh had previously said the Jets would not stand in Rodgers’ way if he wants to come back — even in a potentially lost season — and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano adds the team indeed is not expected to block its starter from returning under these circumstances.

Rodgers also left the door open to this practice return not leading to game action. If the Jets do not activate Rodgers by Dec. 20, he will land on season-ending IR. Given their recent woes, that still seems like the most likely outcome. The Jets benched Zach Wilson once again and have turned to Tim Boyle, who is on track to return as the team’s Week 13 starter. New York has lost four straight, seeing Wilson flatline and Boyle lead a 159-yard offensive effort in a one-sided Week 12 loss to the Dolphins.

This once-farfetched return scenario reached the point in which GM Joe Douglas said the team expected to have its starter back before season’s end. Those remarks came at the trade deadline, when the Jets still enjoyed more realistic playoff goals. The team would have a chance to see how Rodgers looks with its set of skill-position players, though offensive line injuries should also be a factor when the parties determine if a comeback is worthwhile. Alijah Vera-Tucker is out for the season, while Connor McGovern and Wes Schweitzer are on IR. Both Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton have missed time this year. Assuming the Jets retain their coaching staff for 2024, the team would not exactly need to see Rodgers in its system this season. Rodgers worked with embattled OC Nathaniel Hackett from 2019-21.

A $35MM guaranteed roster bonus awaits Rodgers next year, and despite being close to retirement this offseason, the four-time MVP has since said he viewed the Jets trade as a path toward a multiyear partnership. The Jets reworked Rodgers contract this summer, with the outspoken QB taking a pay cut in order to help the team bolster its roster. The team has received criticism for not doing more to replace Rodgers, and Wilson’s repeated shortcomings have led the route to 4-7. But Rodgers remains in the Jets’ future beyond 2023. Will this long-rumored plan of a return before that point actually lead to more game action?

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/23

November 29th, 2023 at 7:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

Tennessee Titans

After missing the Cardinals’ last six games on injured reserve, Wilkinson is now on track to return to his starting left guard post this season. Arizona has used a mixture of Trystan Colon and Carter O’Donnell to fill the spot in the interim.

King found his way to the Texans’ practice squad after being waived by the Steelers and was elevated to game action last week. After starting 25 games for Houston in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, King will be a welcome addition back to the active roster.

Hardee has missed six games with a hamstring injury. The Pro Bowl special teamer returned to practice today alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Schweitzer. Schweitzer was one of several offensive linemen in New York who sustained injuries earlier this year, but after missing the four games required of an IR stint, Schweitzer is working to return, as well.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/27/23

November 27th, 2023 at 4:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Monday’s taxi squad moves:

Denver Broncos:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Jets HC Robert Saleh Addresses Allen Lazard Benching

November 26th, 2023 at 12:51pm CST by Rory Parks

Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard was a healthy scratch in Friday’s loss to the Dolphins, and when asked about the decision after the game, head coach Robert Saleh did not mince words.

“He hasn’t been playing up to his standard,” Saleh said (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “Everyone is pressing on that side of the ball to make something happen. There are parts of his game that need to get better.”

Lazard himself expressed his belief that he would return for the team’s Week 13 matchup with the Falcons, and Saleh did say that the first-year Jet“will be back sooner rather than later.” Still, the fact that Lazard found himself benched at a time when Gang Green’s offense is unable to muster much production of any kind does not bode well for his future with the club.

Saleh’s comments in that regard were particularly telling. Although the head coach said Lazard is “going to be a part of this,” he also said that Lazard is “going to be here for the next year-and-a-half.” Of course, Lazard signed a four-year, $44MM contract in the offseason that keeps him under club control through 2026.

That suggests that the Jets plan to move on from Lazard after the 2024 season, which Florio believes will happen. Contractually, New York has no choice but to retain Lazard next year, as his $10MM base salary for 2024 is fully-guaranteed, and even a post-June 1 release will not yield a single dollar of savings on the 2024 ledger.

Obviously, the team is also hoping that Lazard will be a key component of an Aaron Rodgers-piloted offense next year, and if that happens, perhaps the soon-to-be 28-year-old receiver will be able to extend his stay with the Jets (he is due non-guaranteed base salaries of $11MM in 2025 and 2026). In the meantime, Lazard will try to work his way back into the coaching staff’s good graces and create a connection with the club’s new starting quarterback, Tim Boyle.

Through 10 Zach Wilson-led games in 2023, Lazard has posted 20 catches for 290 yards and a touchdown.

Jets To Give QB Tim Boyle Another Start

November 25th, 2023 at 10:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Tim Boyle is getting at least one more start for the Jets. Coach Robert Saleh told reporters this morning that the backup QB will be under center next weekend against the Falcons.

“Yeah, we’re giving Timmy a chance to roll again next week,” Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini).

It wasn’t a great showing for Boyle yesterday in his first start of the season. While the 29-year-old completed a respectable 71.1 percent of his passes, he also tossed a pair of interceptions and had a pair of fumbles. The loss to the Dolphins dropped Boyle to 0-4 as a starter in his career, with the other three losses coming with the Lions in 2021.

If Boyle is replaced, the Jets would likely turn to newly-named QB2 Trevor Siemian. The veteran was signed to the Jets active roster earlier this week as the team reworked their depth chart, a shakeup that saw Zach Wilson get demoted to the third spot on the depth chart. At this point, it seems unlikely that the Jets would turn back to the former second-overall pick, meaning Boyle or Siemian should get the bulk of the snaps at the position.

Of course, Aaron Rodgers has continued to keep the door open regarding a late-season return. However, thanks to yesterday’s loss, the Jets are now armed with the third-worst record in the AFC. Even with a future Hall of Fame QB back in the lineup, it’s unlikely they’d have enough time to insert themselves into the playoff picture.

Speaking of, that Jets loss also means the team would be eyeing a top-10 pick if the season ended today. Even though the organization is quickly climbing into “QB territory” on the draft board, Cimini says it would be a stunner if the front office chose a quarterback in the upcoming draft. The team still plans to roll with Rodgers in 2024, so any move will likely revolve around their win-now mentality.

AFC East Rumors: Lazard, Carter, Jackson, Montgomery

November 24th, 2023 at 8:30pm CST by Ely Allen

The Jets lost to the Dolphins today in Tim Boyle‘s first start since 2021, and while Boyle failed to provide the offensive spark the team has been searching so desperately for, his arsenal of weapons hardly set him up for success. Part of that was the absence of veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard, who, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, was a healthy scratch from today’s game.

Florio relays that Lazard reportedly believes that it is “a one-game thing,” but after only being target once last week, Florio isn’t quite as sure. The report claims that, despite his existing history with injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, “the internal assessment of Lazard is far from flattering.”

Still, without him, Garrett Wilson saw 10 targets. Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson were the only other wide receivers to see targets, while the rest of Boyle’s attempts targeted tight ends and running backs. With Randall Cobb already out for the past four games, New York can hardly afford more missed time from Lazard, as well.

Here are a few other rumors from the AFC East, with another coming from Gang Green:

  • New York waived a former starter in running back Michael Carter a couple weeks ago. The young rusher had been benched after getting penalized for a chop block and had been buried on the depth chart behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook. The hope was that rookie fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda would be able to step into the third-down role and provide a spark with his speed, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, but in today’s loss, Abanikanda didn’t register a touch. Hall instead took over the passing downs role, registering nine targets as the Jets were in catch-up mode for most of the contest.
  • A new update on the drama with Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson comes straight from Jackson himself, through Mark Daniels of Mass Live. After reports that Jackson failed to show up to the team hotel the night before their game with the Commanders and then subsequently was kept home during the team’s trip to Germany, Jackson explained the situation. Jackson tole Daniels that he had “missed multiple ‘bed checks'” on the night before the Washington game. He was told to stay home from Germany as a punishment, which he claims to have accepted, learned from, and apologized for. In fact, Jackson claims to now be even more appreciative of head coach Bill Belichick, as a result.
  • We saw New England pick up running back JaMycal Hasty off waivers a couple weeks ago, and with that addition, Mike Reiss of ESPN thinks veteran dual-threat back Ty Montgomery‘s job could be in danger. Hasty has a very similar skill set to Montgomery’s and is three years his junior. Montgomery, on the other hand, spent nearly all of last year on the team’s injured reserve and has seen his offensive contributions dwindle in 2023. Reiss could be right in thinking that Hasty has been brought in to replace Montgomery in the Patriots’ running backs room.
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