- New York Jets. Aaron Rodgers candidly reveals the year he's set to retire and the team he wants to do it with
- Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes' secret comes to light: Chiefs GM explains how the star QB dealt with Tyreek Hill's departure
As the New York Jets kick off their training camp, the team is already under scrutiny due to off-field drama and internal turmoil.
This offseason, the Jets have faced significant challenges, including star quarterback Aaron Rodgers missing minicamp for an unexcused trip to Egypt and ongoing contract disputes with newly acquired linebacker Haason Reddick.
Cowherd's radical proposal for Jets makes headlines
In a recent episode of "The Herd," analyst Colin Cowherd weighed in on the Jets' situation, labeling the franchise as "dysfunctional" and offering his perspective on how to turn things around.
"To write the ship with a dysfunctional franchise is to nail the head coach and get a rising star at quarterback that you don't have to pay. So you can build around him,"Cowherd suggested.
Cowherd pointed to successful examples in the NFL, such as the Texans with C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans, the Rams with Sean McVay and Jared Goff, the Bills with Sean McDermott and Josh Allen, and the Bengals with Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow.
He noted that these teams found success by pairing a talented young quarterback with a proven head coach.
In contrast, the Jets' situation appears more precarious.
The team acquired Rodgers, a 40-year-old quarterback recovering from a major surgery, at a high cost.
Additionally, head coach Robert Saleh, who has yet to establish himself in the NFL, faces immense pressure to deliver results this season.
Rodgers acknowledged the high stakes, saying, "If I don't do what I know I'm capable of doing, we're all probably going to be out of here."
Haason Riddick & Jets at a standstill
Reddick's contract dispute further complicates matters.
The linebacker, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, is holding out of training camp until he receives a new contract.
The Jets attempted to offer him a raise, but Reddick sought significantly more, leading to a standoff.
Head coach Robert Saleh's earlier remarks, expressing confidence that Reddick would attend mandatory minicamp, now seem misguided.
Saleh's job security is also in question, with BetOnline listing him as the favorite to be the first NFL head coach fired this season.
Entering his fourth season with an 18-33 record, Saleh faces a crucial year as the Jets aim to end their playoff drought, which dates back to 2010.
Despite the Jets' defense ranking among the top in the league, the offense has struggled, ranking near the bottom in total offense and scoring only 18 touchdowns last season.
As the 2024 season approaches, the Jets must find a way to resolve their internal issues and prove they can compete in the AFC East.