Aaron Rodgers’ calming presence ‘invaluable’ as Jets seek offensive rhythm

In a closely contested game against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday that featured several changes of pace, Aaron Rodgers delivered when it was most needed.

The New York Jets quarterback completed 5 of 5 passes for 60 yards on what became the game-winning drive. It included a beautiful 26-yard floater to star receiver Garrett Wilson, a third-and-1 conversion. The decisive plays at the end came on a day when the Jets had no offensive rhythm at the start of the game (seven points at halftime).

Jets rookie running back Braelon Allen couldn’t help but marvel at how Rodgers commanded the huddle down the stretch. How he took charge of the offense despite the outside factors — the visiting crowd, the noise. How he was able to connect everyone.

“You know you’re going to win the game. That’s what it all comes down to,” Allen said. “He’s like a conductor. He just drives around the field without any problems.”

Coach Robert Saleh and Rodgers’ teammates came away from Sunday’s win over the Titans excited about the calming presence the 40-year-old quarterback brings to the Jets (1-1). With 19 seasons and counting under his belt, Rodgers has the track record of elite quarterback play that has the franchise continuing to believe he’s the missing piece for Super Bowl contention. After losing the four-time MVP four plays into his Jets debut last season because of his torn Achilles, the team entered 2024 with renewed hopes of ending its 13-year playoff drought.

Rodgers believes it’s important to be a calming force because, in pressure situations, “people get scared.”

You can see it in the players’ eyes, he explained.

“It’s not just game days, it’s every day,” Rodgers said of how to create calmness in his team. “How can we stay relaxed and then be able to focus when it’s time to focus? Last year there were some negative vibes at times, where we were feeling like, ‘Here we go again,’ or ‘We’re not going to win this one.’ I just don’t want us to get to that situation.

“I think there are ways to do that. Some of them are humor, some of them are stoicism, and some of them are taking control at times. You just put your finger on the pulse of the team, energize it, and try to do the right thing as a leader.”

Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard, who played five seasons with Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers, explained that the 10-time Pro Bowler has a knack for knowing what his team needs at any given moment.

Sometimes he speaks in a lower tone during the meeting, even in noisy environments (“You concentrate a little more,” Lazard said). Other times, he shouts out the play.

“I think he has a sixth sense for that,” Lazard told FOX Sports. “He’s played this game for 20 years in the NFL and all that, so he’s been in these situations more times than you can imagine… For him, it’s just another day at the office.”

That doesn’t mean the Jets don’t have problems to solve.

Over the past two weeks, they haven’t been able to get enough touches on Wilson, their leading receiver. He has 10 receptions, but on 17 attempts. Rodgers’ 60.8% completion percentage ranks 23rd out of 32 qualified quarterbacks, one spot ahead of Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix (59.7%). Rodgers hasn’t been in sync with his receivers and appears to still be finding his footing after the Achilles injury.

It doesn’t help that the Jets haven’t run the ball well, ranking 26th in total rushing yards (84.5 rushing yards per game), 21st in rushing yards per attempt (3.9) and 20th in expected points added via the run (0.25), according to Pro Football Reference.

All of this has contributed to their inability to sustain drives. Their average offensive time is 2:27, sixth-worst in the NFL. They have run the third-fewest plays in the league (106), even though they are tied for 13th with 21 possessions.

With Rodgers and other weapons like Wilson, star running back Breece Hall, tight end Tyler Conklin and veteran receiver Mike Williams, The Jets are hoping the offense will improve.

“We’re a little inconsistent right now, which is to be expected,” Saleh said. “But at the same time, we know that every time we touch the ball we can score.”

Until they find that rhythm—if they find it—they will be able to feel good about themselves.

With Rodgers, they have the belief that they can close out any game down the stretch.

“If you look at the game as it’s going on, the ‘we can score on every drive’ mentality will eventually take over this football team,” Saleh said. “Once that fully takes over, I think everything will flow freely and look beautiful when it all comes together.”

“And having a guy like Aaron, who brings that calm presence at the quarterback position, is priceless.”

Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered games Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) before moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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