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The New York Jets have not entered the postseason in 13 years and have not played in a Super Bowl in 56 years. The team's fans hoped that the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers would change all that, but so far, he has been nothing more than a distraction, and analysts have begun to show their tiredness with the star player.
Rodgers arrived with great fanfare to the New York franchise for the 2023 season. The front office and fans had all their hopes placed on the Super Bowl XLV champion. However, he was barely four plays into his first game when an Achilles injury sidelined him for the season.
Since then, Rodgers has not stopped making headlines, almost always for the wrong reasons. From his possible selection as independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy'srunning mate and his ayahuasca "retreats" to his recent trip to Egypt, Rodgers has gone from one controversy to another.
Precisely that trip to Egypt, right during the Jets' mandatory mini-training camp, was the last straw for television commentator Joe Mauceri, who called the Jets' star QB a hypocrite.
Mauceri's criticisms
During a segment on PIX11's "Sports Nation,"Mauceri's co-host Nelson Figueroa Jr. tried to downplay the quarterback's absence from training camp, but Mauceri wasn't about to take it anymore. "Not only will it be a storyline, but it should be a storyline," Mauceri refuted his partner's comments.
The debate began over Rodgers' response to criticism from Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who called his absence "unexcusable." Responding to the HC's statements, the quarterback said it had been "a beautiful trip to Egypt," and assured, "We are a team to watch this year."
In his comment, Mauceri addressed Rodgers statements by saying, "You are a phony if that is the tactic you are going to take." The commentator's words found an immediate echo in other New York media.
More criticism against Rodgers
"First Things First" analyst Nick Wright warned that Saleh could be the one in trouble for his statements. "I am officially putting Robert Saleh on the hot seat," the commentator warned.
"The Athletic's" Dianna Russini explained that Rodgers had questioned Saleh's use of the word "unexcusable." Since May, Mike Florio of "Pro Football Talk" has said that the former Green Bay Packers signal-caller is "very good at saying whatever he needs to say to justify whatever he wants to do."
Rodgers will not fail to cause controversy. The Jets will begin training camp on July 25, and as the date approaches, all eyes are on the soap opera that the Jets' offseason has become, thanks to Aaron Rodgers.