Aaron Rodgers acknowledges he could be down to the final three games in his Hall of Famer career.
The New York Jets have been colossal disappointments this season with Rodgers displaying a decline in his skills. Yet the 41-year-old veteran will be back on the field Sunday when the Jets host the Los Angeles Rams in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York (4-10) defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend for just its second win in the past 11 games. Jets coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas both lost their jobs during a horrendous season that began with the belief that the team was a playoff contender.
A five-game losing streak before the halfway point of the season ended that chatter.
And Rodgers knows that his future hangs in the balance. There is no guarantee he will be with the Jets in 2025.
“I’m going to take some time after the year — unless I get released right away — but I’ll still take some time whether or not I want to play,” Rodgers said. “But I’ll take some time to get away from it, either way.”
Rodgers enjoyed a strong outing in the 32-25 road win over Jacksonville last week, passing for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Davante Adams, the former favorite target of Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, had nine receptions for 198 yards and two TDs.
The two scoring receptions made Adams the 12th player in the NFL history with 100 or more receiving touchdowns. His total is at 101 entering the game against the Rams.
“Historic, magical,” Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said of Adams’ feat. “To get his 100th TD — I feel honored to have seen it.”
Los Angeles (8-6) is tied with the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West with the Arizona Cardinals one game behind.
The Rams overcame a 1-4 start to win seven of their past nine games. They have won all four road games during the latter stretch, including a 12-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 12.
Los Angeles has division showdowns with the Cardinals and Seahawks to finish the regular season. A stumble against the Jets would rate as a huge blow.
The game at the Meadowlands comes with an early start for a West Coast team, but the Rams navigated that situation while beating the New England Patriots on Nov. 17.
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford said the kickoff time should never be an issue.
“Once you (go to the East Coast) once, you kind of understand what it’s about,” Stafford said. “I kind of like it. You wake up and go play. I’m an early riser anyways, I’m up early anyways, so our body clock time of 10 a.m. doesn’t affect me too much.”
Stafford has been able to stay healthy this season, and the 36-year-old has passed for 3,463 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Rodgers has thrown for 3,255 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
“When you look at both Matthew and Aaron, consistency is the truest measurement of performance and these guys have consistently had the ability to prepare week in and week out,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “… It’s two greats, two guys I look at as Hall of Famers.”
Los Angeles activated tight end Tyler Higbee this week to make his season debut. Higbee has been sidelined since tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee 11 months ago in a playoff loss against the Detroit Lions.
Rams cornerback Cobie Durant (lung contusion) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
New York placed safety Jalen Mills (fractured collarbone) on injured reserve Wednesday. He got hurt against the Jaguars.
Star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (hamstring) didn’t participate in the Wednesday walkthrough for the Jets. Also sitting out were cornerback Michael Carter II (back) and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle).
–Field Level Media