Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets have been the most disappointing story of this NFL season. The team is 3-8 and has already fired its head coach, Robert Saleh, and its general manager, Joe Douglas.
After firing Saleh, the Jets elevated Jeff Ulbrich from defensive coordinator to the interim head coach position, but he is unlikely to be their head coach next year. With the Jets searching for a new head coach, New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski recently floated a candidate’s name who could be a perfect fit for Rodgers and the team.
Rob Gronkowski Picks New HC for Aaron Rodgers’ Jets
During a conversation on the Up & Adams Show, Gronkowski was asked about the coach he thinks can get the best out of the Jets. The four-time Super Bowl champion picked Jon Gruden to be the next head coach of the AFC East franchise.
“I would say Jon Gruden,” said Gronkowski. “Jon Gruden would be a good choice. He brings that passion, loves the game of football, just loves the energy that football brings, you know, to the table. Gruden loves a nice, solid quarterback; he definitely does, no doubt about it, and that would be the fit. I would like to see that happen.”
“That’s how Aaron Rodgers stays with the Jets. He has to have a GM and a head coach that comes in that wants Aaron Rodgers as well… So, it all depends on who the head coach in GM is going to be next year, but if you get a guy like Jon Gruden, that would be pretty special to have him team up with Rodgers.”
Is there a HC out there who Gronk thinks could be a GREAT fit with Aaron Rodgers?
"Jon Gruden." 👀@heykayadams @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/XzaRmxXQmc
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) November 20, 2024
Since resigning as the Las Vegas Raiders head coach in 2021, Gruden has not worked in the NFL.
Gruden won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has a record of 117-112 as a head coach in the NFL. As evidenced by his videos on YouTube and on X, the former Raiders head coach is totally dialed in on football-related activities and will likely be open to returning to the NFL.
4th & 1 and the Chargers ran 14 Blast to perfection for the touchdown https://t.co/VrzcTFCdBn pic.twitter.com/ENo0RUhvdw
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) November 18, 2024
However, it does not look like the Jets will approach him as the team is expected to go in a rebuild, and a younger head coach could be a better option for them.
Rodgers and the Jets Could Part Ways After This Season
Recent reports indicate Jets owner Woody Johnson wanted the team to bench Rodgers after Week 4’s loss to the Denver Broncos. He also fired Douglas, who Rodgers had a great relationship with and wanted to be there working for the franchise beyond this season.
The Jets are not only expected to bring in a new head coach and general manager but draft a new quarterback as well. Rodgers still has a year left on his deal, but the franchise looks open to taking a $50 million cap hit to start a rebuild.
The team looks worse than it did with Zach Wilson, and as of now, it will be better for the Jets to start over with a young quarterback picked by a new regime. Johnson has had a big role in many of the Jets’ moves this year, and now all signs point to the owner parting ways with the four-time NFL MVP.
In 11 games this season, Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, completing 63.4% of his throws. The Achilles injury has severely impacted his mobility, and with how things are shaping up in New York, it will be interesting to see whether the former Packers star will even play beyond this year.