Aaron Rodgers is a believer if nothing else. When it comes to the playoff odds for the New York Jets, Rodgers is keeping faith on his side. However, Jets fans aren’t as optimistic after head coach Jeff Ulbrich’s team faced a crushing 31-6 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, sending the Jets to 3-7.
Nevertheless, the Cardinals’ loss wasn’t enough to deter Rodgers’ confidence. He remains steadfast in his playoff hopes, reminding everyone that “we’re not mathematically eliminated.”
Aaron Rodgers Hopeful of Jets’ Playoff Chances
The numbers, however, don’t seem to bend towards Rodgers’ side. The Jets, who haven’t seen the postseason in 13 years, would need to win their remaining seven games to have any realistic shot at making the playoffs. Looking at their current form, that seems highly impossible.
Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the four-time MVP discussed his mindset moving forward.
“I think you gotta approach it the same every single week. … Maybe it kicks up a little bit if you need to, for guys that feel like they can give a little more,” Rodgers said.
He emphasized the importance of hope, pride, and perseverance, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
“You gotta hold on to that beautiful thing in life called hope. There’s a chance. We’re not mathematically eliminated. There’s a lot to play for. At the end of the day, one thing that we can play for, whether we’re 10-0 or 3-7 is pride,” the Jets QB said.
"You gotta hold on to that beautiful thing in life called hope. … We're not mathematically eliminated."
Aaron Rodgers tells @PatMcAfeeShow "there's still a lot" for the Jets to play for this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/ORfwoXKQyH
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 12, 2024
With their playoff odds below 10% after Week 10 (as per PFN’s Playoff Predictor), even favorable outcomes in other games failed to turn the tide. The Jets’ season has painted a bleak picture, with each loss further exposing their weaknesses.
The 40-year-old is no longer his former self. He recorded only 151 yards against Arizona. His injury recovery and advancing age have added to his challenges, leaving him far from the form that once made him one of the NFL’s most feared quarterbacks.
The team has struggled on both sides of the ball, with an inconsistent offense and a defense that can’t seem to hold the line. Rodgers’ optimism is unquestioned, but realistically speaking, the Jets’ issues appear to go well beyond his control, begging the question of when it’s time to accept the harsh reality of their season.
For now, the team’s playoff dreams are just that — dreams — and unless the Jets pull off a miracle, reality might soon catch up with Rodgers.