A New York Jets star had a fairly telling remark about the difference in the environment around the team now that Aaron Rodgers has gone elsewhere.
A number of Jets players told ESPN’s Rich Cimini that there is more of a team feeling around the organization this season with Rodgers out the door. While Rodgers was liked by his teammates, the quarterback’s desire to be in the spotlight undoubtedly changed the way things felt.
“Man, I feel like everybody’s just making the thing about the team,” linebacker Quincy Williams said. “That’s the main thing.”
Jets players are not necessarily trying to be critical of Rodgers, but the veteran quarterback brought scrutiny wherever he went. His replacement, Justin Fields, simply does not command the spotlight in the same way, and it seems to be beneficial for team dynamics.
Rodgers did not leave the Jets on great terms, which likely underlines the point players are making now. Quite simply, the dynamic has changed in the locker room.
The big question is whether the Jets’ offense will be productive under Fields, and there are definitely some early worries about that. For the Jets locker room, trading a bit less offense for a more cohesive team might be worth it.
