Rodgers!!!!! The trade that we were promised finally is complete with 4 time MVP Aaron Fucking Rodgers taking his talents to the big apple (more like smelly ass Jersey).
With Rodgers finally a Jet, we have a million questions to touch on. What fantasy impact does this have on every pass catcher, from Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard to tight end room. What about the RBs? Are they going to take a hit with the potential of a higher passing volume offense? Will this even be a higher passing offense? Is Rodgers better days behind him? We saw the injury to his hand last year effect his play. Will be perform at an MVP level? Can he even perform to an MVP level behind a Jets offensive line? Is it better intact than the Packers?
These are just a few of the hundreds of questions that run through my head from a Jets fan standpoint, as well as a fantasy football diehard. Let’s dive the fuck into the shallow end head first, no floaties on.
What are the Rodgers expectations?
Depends who you ask? If you hit up my brother he will tell you Rodgers already won the Super Bowl for the Jets and there is no reason to even play out the season. Ask a Bills/Pats/Dolphins fan and we mortgaged the future for a 39 year old, pass his prime QB. As much as I would love to side with brother and his bias, I’m going to have to meet both sides in the middle.
Let’s face the facts, Rodgers chose the Jets. He didn’t choose them because he felt like it’s a nice place to raise a family. The future HOF Super Bowl winning QB chose the Jets because he felt like it was the best situation for him to win another Super Bowl. Why would he feel a franchise that hasn’t won a Super Bowl since the first person stepped foot on the moon is his top choice? Coaching, young playmakers on offense and a near elite level defense. From a fantasy outlook let’s focus on the first two.
Nathaniel Hackett was a key piece to Rodgers wanting to be a Jet, which he has been quoted saying. This is an offense Rodgers can jump right into, without having to learn the playbook. Rodgers toughest challenge will be developing chemistry with new players in my opinion, and getting that timing/trust with his pass catchers. Under Hackett we already know the deal. Rodgers won back to back MVPs 1 year ago.
Rodgers was never a huge fan of Lefleur in my opinion because Lefleur emphasized the rushing attack more than Rodgers ever had to deal with. The Packers have had one of the best rushing offenses the past 2 seasons and Lefleur is a product of Mike Shanahan, who always gets the best out of his running backs.Now with Rodgers back under center, he is with a offensive coordinator who he had his best seasons with, as well as possibly the best WR depth room he has had since his early days(maybe best ever).
Garrett Wilson jumped onto the scene last season as a man who was looking to prove he’s the top WR of his draft class. Drake London, Chris Olave, George Pickens, Jameson Williams all have bright futures in the NFL for years to come but Wilson was the one who took home OROY while finishing the season as the 21st ranked WR in fantasy. Many have Wilson pinpointed as a top 10 with Rodgers. When you go from the QB play of Flacco/White/Wilson I very well can see Wilson as a WR1. I think what also helped Wilson’s stock rise this off-season (as well as Rodgers) is the veteran experience/familiarity) of Corey Davis and Allen Lazard. While Davis could still be cut, the Jets also could look to add to the WR room considering they were in on spending for OBJ(very happy that never happen.)
Another key to potential success for #8 is the health and explosive play of Breece Hall. Before Hall went down last season, he was the front runner for OROY. After a few weeks he began to get comfortable on an NFL pro style offense and flashed his skill set which led him to be the top RB of his draft class. So while Rodgers had MVP seasons with Aaron Jones lined up at back, (who before this season was one of the top Fantasy RBs) I feel they both can eat because history speaks for itself. We all just need to pray he recovers and is the same player he was before the ACL year. Most players return to form, but that first season back it seems RBs don’t get back to 100%.
My 2 biggest concerns for Rodgers are the Jets ability to block up front and his age/health. The Jets are returning 4 out of 5 starters and may be depending on former first round pick Big ticket Becton. This is scary to lean on all of these guys considering they were average at next last season. I feel the return of AVT after a missed season due to a torn triceps and Laken Tomlinson gives the jets strong guard play but the question marks come from the tackle positions, which arguably are the more important positions for a QB to have time to throw. Ticket as well as rookie RT Max Mitchell health (blood clots) and also Duane Brown (38 years old), are all guys we need to keep our eyes on. These question marks at tackle as well as Rodgers healthy lead myself and many around the league to believe Jets go OL and pick 15.
Speaking of Rodgers health, he didn’t play his best ball last season. Was this due to a thumb fracture in his throwing hand in October? Were his numbers in decline because of his age? If he was vaccinated would he get COVID? While the last question is obvious, the other two are up for debate. Before Rodgers injury in week 5, he was ranked outside the top 20. After the injury he was still ranked outside the top 20. Does the injury really reflect his fantasy production? I feel the injury effected more of the teams overall play knowing he was hurt, resulting in 7 out of 8 losses from the day of his fracture. Rodgers history of injuries is mentioned a ton by haters on twitter, but when looking back at his last 9 seasons he has played in every game every season minus 2017. My issue with Rodgers health is if he gets banged up or injured at 39, how quickly can he get up/recoup.
I think there is a ton of stuff we dissected with even more information we can work off of. With all of this said, and if by the miracle of sweet baby Jesus you are still here it’s time for me to let you know my expectations of the greatest QB in New York Jets history (yes, sadly already).
Rodgers QB9 3900 Passing Yards 29 TDs 9 INTs
I think this is a fair outlook for AR. When looking at the Jets schedule it certainly isn’t easy. They face some challenging defenses while playing in one of the toughest divisions in football. The Jets have some easy games as well that could for e the hand of the running game if the defense lives up to expectations.
Developing chemistry in the off-season with no WRs/TEs/RBs shouldn’t be too hard with an elite level QB but could hold back from getting 100% out of certain guys. I think in the new age fantasy football Rodgers is ranked 9th for me in part to the ability of others rushing attack. When we speak of Hurts and Lamar and Fields we are speaking of guys who pray they had Rodgers arm and natural throwing abilities, yet they may rank higher because of the dual threat abilities.
Please critique/criticize/shit all over my rams. Let’s get this talk going as much as possible and tell me not just Rodgers outlook but all Jets players.