Anyone hoping to see a different quarterback for the Jets is going to have to wait.
The Jets are sticking with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback for next week’s game against the Dolphins despite losing eight of their last nine games and coming up short again Sunday in a 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.
“We have great belief in Aaron. We really do,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday morning. “We think he gives us the best opportunity to win. After assessing yesterday’s game, I thought there were moments in the first half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. I thought there were moments even in the second half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. Then, there were moments that he didn’t play to his standard and he’d tell you the same. We believe that he gives us the best opportunity to win so he’s our quarterback.”
Ulbrich left the door open for a change immediately after the game Sunday but he slammed it shut Monday morning.
Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, has struggled this season and the Jets locked up their ninth straight losing season with Sunday’s loss. They are still mathematically alive for the playoffs but at 3-9 there is no realistic shot, meaning the Jets will miss the playoffs for the 14th straight year, the longest drought in North American major sports.
All of that has led to a question of whether the Jets should bench the future Hall of Famer, something that would have been unthinkable at the beginning of the year. Tyrod Taylor is the Jets backup quarterback.
Ulbrich pointed to injuries holding Rodgers back this year. He dealt with ankle, knee and hamstring injuries in October but has said he is fully healthy now. He was not on the injury report last week for the first time since Week 4.
“The games where he was truly healthy, go back to the second Patriots game and then this game, I thought you started to see his mobility come back,” Ulbrich said, possibly meaning the first Patriots game in September. “Obviously, I think injury has a lot to do with what his numbers are this season. He’s battled through a lot of things regardless of your age. What he’s had is something some guys in this league might not play with. He’s a tough guy and he feels a high level of accountability to his teammates. That’s why he’s out there every week for us. We believe as he gets healthier and his mobility starts to improve, you’re going to see a better and better version of him.”
Rodgers has not thrown for 300 yards in a game this season. On Sunday, he had 185 passing yards and two touchdowns but threw a costly interception that Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams returned 92 yards for a touchdown.
On the play before, Rodgers missed a wide open Garrett Wilson in the end zone.
Ulbrich said Rodgers’ pedigree factors into the decision.
“That’s part of every conversation regarding Aaron,” Ulbrich said. “He’s done amazing things. He’s done legendary things. Hall of Fame things in this league. That’s always part of the conversation.”
Ulbrich would not say how much influence owner Woody Johnson had on the decision.
“We have good, healthy conversations, Woody and myself. I’d like to keep those private,” Ulbrich said.
As for the rest of the season, Ulbrich was asked if this is a week-to-week decision or Rodgers is the guy for the remaining five games if healthy.
“He’s our quarterback,” Ulbrich responded.
