Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tear put an early damper on the New York Jets‘ 2023 campaign, but it also generated reaction from around the NFL.
Mike LaFleur, the current Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator who served as the Jets’ OC from 2021-22, was asked about Rodgers’ injury on Thursday.
Former Jets OC on Aaron Rodgers’ Injury
LaFleur has never worked directly with Rodgers, but his brother is Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, so he’s probably had some interactions with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Asked about his former team, Mike LaFleur lamented Rodgers’ injury but also discussed the realities of NFL life.
“The show goes on,” LaFleur said. “No one really cares.
“(I’ve) been part of a lot of different teams. I’ve had a lot of injuries. Last year, they had a lot of injuries here. No one really cares. The show goes on, and you move on, and that’s why you have the rosters you have, and that’s why you keep developing the guys that you got.
“And if you’re worried about that kind of stuff … your heart breaks for a guy like Aaron Rogers, right? I mean, for anyone that’s losing their season because they love it and they put so much time into it. But as a coach, if you’re thinking about it for longer than 30 seconds, you’ve already lost that 30 seconds. You got to move on because the league’s not waiting.”
Via Aaron Rodgers’ Instagram story: pic.twitter.com/QP2zXwD8yp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2023
For their part, the Jets have already begun to move on. Head coach Robert Saleh said Zach Wilson will be New York’s starter for the rest of the season, but the club has begun to look into veteran backup options.
LaFleur, 36, became something of a scapegoat for the Jets’ horrendous offensive attack over the past two seasons. New York fired him on Jan. 11, but he quickly landed with the Rams on Jan. 27.
A longtime member of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, LaFleur began his career in the college ranks before joining Shanahan with the Browns in 2014. He followed Shanahan to Atlanta and San Francisco before taking the Jets job in 2021.