Aaron Rodgers defends Zach Wilson, scolds Jets for leaks to media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't hold back. Not only was he upset by a published report that he said unfairly described teammate Zach Wilson as “a kid who left the team,” but he criticized the organization for “sissy” leaks in media.

“It’s a problem with the organization,” Rodgers said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “We need to get to the bottom of this and end this privately, because there is no place in a winning culture where – and this isn't the only time. There have been a bunch of other leaks.”

Rodgers was referring to a report from The Athletic, which cited unidentified sources as saying that Wilson – benched two weeks ago – was reluctant to play again due to a perceived injury risk. The reeling Jets (4-8), losers of five straight, are making another quarterback change this week, with coach Robert Saleh set to announce a decision Wednesday.

Saleh was leaning toward Wilson on Monday, a source confirmed. The other quarterbacks are Trevor Siemian and Brett Rypien, who were signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on Tuesday. Tim Boyle, who started the last two games, was abruptly waived Tuesday.

Rodgers, back with the team full-time as he continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired Achilles, questioned why anyone affiliated with the team would want to “assassinize someone's character like this report does to Zach.”

“I think it's chicken at its core, and I think it has no place in a winning organization,” Rodgers said.

Wilson, perhaps in damage control, went to Saleh's office Monday afternoon and told the coach he wanted to start Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to Saleh. The coach said he had no problem with Wilson's desire to play, but he delayed his quarterback decision until Wednesday.

What likely happened, a source told ESPN, was that Wilson sought advice from a teammate about the risk-reward of playing a late-season game without playoff involvement — and rumor has it It is rumored that he had reservations. Generally speaking, Saleh used the analogy of college players weighing the pros and cons of skipping bowl games to preserve their NFL draft value. Wilson will likely be looking for a new team in 2024, which could explain any concerns about injury risk.

However, this is professional football and no player wants his name stigmatized. Rodgers said he hoped Wilson would address the team Wednesday to clarify the situation.

“[The report is] He's basically saying this kid is leaving the team, he doesn't want to play and he gave the organization the finger,” Rodgers said. “Now look, I don't want to speak for him because he has a chance this week. talk and I'll let him talk.

I'll tell you I love this kid and I've spent a lot of time with him, and I think he's an amazing young man. … He's been through a lot of shit over the last three years. and he has every right to be frustrated and disappointed. I think he did a good job of standing up and taking responsibility this year when it was up to him to do it.

Rodgers said he never spoke to Wilson on Monday to resolve the situation, as The Athletic reported, but he acknowledged they spoke every day. The four-time MVP, who hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to action this season, seemed even more upset that internal conversations were being reported.

“Certain conversations are reserved for certain people and should not leave the building,” he said. “There's a trust that goes along with being in the locker room, where you say something to your buddy and it doesn't go anywhere. Or you say something in the team meeting room. [and it] not going anywhere. There have been too many instances this season of things happening. This is not acceptable and we must eliminate it in any way necessary. »

Rodgers, traded to the Jets in April, said they made “incredible progress” from a cultural standpoint in the spring and summer. When he was injured in the first week, he returned home to rehab in California. After a loss in Week 3, he chastised the team for its excesses on the sidelines, saying they needed to stick together. Now, he said, they “have to tweak a few things, just tighten a few things.”

“I believe in individuals who are in leadership positions,” he said. “I think there are, like everywhere, a lot of reactions that happen at different times and some of them can be influenced by fans and pundits, maybe a little more than I'm used to. But I think that this is a great opportunity for us. “I have to stick together now and just watch and see how this all plays out and how people react to this adversity. It’s been a wild ride and I can’t wait to take the reins again very soon.”