The New York Jets’ season has been a major disappointment, drawing sharp criticism from Sky Sports commentators Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold. After a narrow 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, which dropped the Jets to 3-8 in the 2024-25 season, the duo took aim at the franchise’s ongoing struggles, particularly the underwhelming impact of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Reynolds was blunt in his assessment, calling Rodgers’ time with the Jets a failed experiment. “Since signing him, Rodgers has torn his Achilles, missed the season, the head coach has been fired, and now they’re 3-8,” Reynolds said. The Jets’ inability to address deeper issues, including their failure to find a reliable kicker after parting ways with Harrison Butker, has further compounded their troubles.
Rodgers returned this season after recovering from his Achilles injury, but his performance has been lackluster. Over 11 games, the 40-year-old has completed 241-of-380 passes for 2,442 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while failing to reach 300 passing yards in any game.
In a bid to reverse their fortunes, the Jets have made several significant moves. These include firing head coach Robert Saleh, trading for Rodgers’ former teammate Davante Adams, and stripping offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties. Yet, Reinebold believes these adjustments haven’t addressed the franchise’s core problems. “There’s a stench around that team,” he remarked. “Changing the head coach hasn’t fixed anything. Now Rodgers says he wants to return next year, but is that what Jets fans really want?”
Rodgers has expressed his desire to continue playing in the NFL, but Reynolds questioned whether the Jets should stick with him. “If they’re picking high in the draft, they might consider selecting a young quarterback,” he noted. “Rodgers wouldn’t mentor him, leaving the rookie to develop alone. That’s not an ideal situation for the Jets.”
Adding a bold suggestion to the mix, Athlon Sports analyst Nick Faria proposed a potential shake-up in the Jets’ quarterback plans. “What if the Jets moved on from Rodgers this offseason, drafted a QB in the first round, and signed Daniel Jones to a bridge deal? Fans might be divided, but it’s an intriguing option if the Jets keep losing,” he said. Jones, currently benched by the Giants in favor of Tommy DeVito, has two years left on his $160 million contract. If the Giants cut him this offseason, they would face a $22 million cap hit.
With the Jets in a downward spiral, questions surrounding Rodgers’ future and the team’s long-term direction remain pressing. As the season progresses, the franchise faces tough decisions about how to move forward.
