Future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers set the stage for the 2024 New York Jets season by sharing a spot-on realization during OTAs.
"If I don't do what I know I'm capable of doing, we're all probably going to be out of here," said Rodgers in May. "I like that kind of pressure though. It's a tough market to play in, it's not for everybody. I relish that opportunity, but that's the way the NFL is, I'm not saying anything monumental. This is how it is every single year. You might not just say it, but as you get older in the League, if you don't perform, they're going to get rid of you, or bring in the next guy to take over."
With a 40-year-old quarterback and two 33-year-old offensive tackles coupled with the fact that young stars Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson are still playing on their rookie contracts , the Jets are facing the ultimate "win now" season. If New York falls flat and fails to end the franchise's 13-year postseason drought, owner Woody Johnson may opt to replace the quarterback, the head coach and general manager Joe Douglas.
The stakes are so high with the Jets that Yahoo! writer Frank Schwab listed them amongst the "10 brewing controversies" which he's identified heading into Week 1. Dak Prescott's future and the Pittsburgh Steelers ' "quarterback controversy" also made the list.
Jets and their all-in season
"It's not often that a team loads up and has one season to make it work. For the Jets it's like the "Last Dance," but without the first five championships the Chicago Bulls won. Everything will be under a microscope this season. If the Jets don't win big this season, everything is likely to get turned upside down. That might start with Aaron Rodgers, who won't play forever. The Jets always have drama, when they're good or bad, and that has started with trading for pass rusher Haason Reddick and misreading that Reddick would report without a new contract. Reddick wasn't with the Jets at the start of their preparation for Week 1, which is a loss to the lineup they didn't need going into a pressure-filled season."
Saleh, who owns an 18-33 record at the helm, is likely coaching for his job, but the former San Francisco 49ers ' defensive coordinator claims the pressure he experiences is no different this year than in year's past. Noting that expectations are always high in the New York media market, Saleh has suggested that his team is up for the challenge.
"We've got a good football team, I know we've got a good football team and the results are going to be what they are. I just want us to show up every day with our minds on, ball ready to compete, and if we do that, I think the rest will take care of itself," said Saleh.
For his sake, and the future of others, Saleh needs results. It's win now or there won't be a later.
More New York Jets News:
• NFL peers publicly laud Jets' slot cornerback for securing the bag
• Jets urged to reunite former Packers' tight end with Aaron Rodgers
• Head coach confident in New York Jets' pass rush, unfazed by star DE holdout
• Douglas defends Jets coach's leadership qualities despite poor record
• Saleh takes measures to offset Jets' schedule disadvantage
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