Aaron Rodgers didn’t love the query.
After a Dec. 15 victory, Rodgers listed Kenneth Gainwell, Connor Heyward, Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as “castoffs” who’re serving to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Naturally, a reporter requested Rodgers if he thought-about himself to be amongst that group.
“No, I’m not a castoff,” Rodgers replied matter-of-factly.
Regardless of the label could also be, the Jets decided to maneuver on from Rodgers final winter. And now Rodgers has the Steelers on the precipice of the playoffs.
The Steelers (9-6) lead the AFC North by two video games over the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) and will clinch the division as quickly as this weekend.
A loss by the Ravens in Inexperienced Bay on Saturday would make the Steelers division champs. Even when the Ravens win, the Steelers would wrap up the AFC North crown with a street victory over the cellar-dwelling Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Whereas the statistics aren’t gaudy, the 42-year-old Rodgers has been the driving power behind the Steelers’ three-game profitable streak over the Ravens, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.
Sunday’s assertion 29-24 win in Detroit marked the third recreation in a row during which Rodgers threw for a minimum of 220 yards, accomplished greater than 65% of his passes and didn’t throw an interception.
The profitable streak follows Rodgers’ return from a number of fractures in his left, non-throwing wrist, which brought about him to overlook a Nov. 23 loss to the Chicago Bears and restricted him throughout a Nov. 30 defeat by the Buffalo Payments.
“It’s been playoff-type football for us the last three weeks,” Rodgers mentioned Sunday.
The Jets believed they had been a quarterback away once they acquired Rodgers, a former Tremendous Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP, from the Inexperienced Bay Packers earlier than the 2023 season. However the Jets, mired in a championship drought spanning greater than 5 a long time, actually wanted Rodgers to be their savior.
That didn’t occur, as Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear 4 offensive snaps into the 2023 season opener, then went 5-12 final 12 months.
However whereas Rodgers had his share of controversies with the Jets — together with lacking necessary minicamp in 2024 — his play improved as final season went on. He completed with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions — and threw 4 TDs within the season finale.
The Jets’ new regime of head coach Aaron Glenn and normal supervisor Darren Mougey opted for a clear slate and launched Rodgers, infamously having him fly throughout the nation to tell him of his launch.
Transferring on from Rodgers additionally meant parting methods along with his favourite extensive receiver, Davante Adams, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams and leads the NFL with 14 landing receptions.
However with head coach Mike Tomlin and the regular Steelers, Rodgers hasn’t wanted to be the savior. He’s merely wanted to function an offense that likes to run the ball and complement a bend-don’t-break protection that’s been among the many NFL’s finest at forcing turnovers.
“I was proud of our guys,” Rodgers mentioned after beating the Lions. “Some games, the defense has stood on its head and given us a chance, and a few times we’ve done it [on offense]. Tonight was one of those times where we kept answering.”
For the season, Rodgers has handed for two,860 yards and 23 touchdowns towards seven interceptions in 14 video games. That included a classic four-touchdown efficiency in a Week 1 win over the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
The Jets, in the meantime, are within the midst of a irritating 3-12 marketing campaign during which quarterback play has been a major shortcoming.
Former Steelers QB Justin Fields, whom the Jets signed to switch Rodgers, was benched after a Nov. 13 loss in New England.
The Jets are 1-3 in video games began by veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor.
And Sunday’s 29-6 loss in New Orleans was the second recreation in a row began by Brady Prepare dinner, an undrafted rookie who has thrown one landing go towards six interceptions.
With 5 first-round picks over the following two years, the Jets have ample ammunition to accumulate a franchise quarterback, be it by way of the draft or by buying and selling for a veteran.
However because the Jets play out one other shedding season, Rodgers and the Steelers maintain discovering methods to win.
“It says a lot about the guys that we’ve got,” Rodgers mentioned Sunday. “It says a lot about the leadership, the organization and the players.”
