The New York Jets are now 3-9 in the 2024 season, following yet another painful loss, this time to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13. This loss, like so many others this year, was another narrow defeat—yet another comeback attempt that ultimately fell short, sealing the team’s fate and ending any realistic playoff hopes. As the season continues to spiral out of control, it’s clear that someone must be held accountable for this disappointing campaign. When looking for reasons behind this disastrous year, the finger must be pointed at three key figures: Aaron Rodgers, Joe Douglas, and Haason Reddick. Each of them has played a significant role in the Jets’ failure to meet expectations.
Coming into the 2024 season, the Jets were filled with high hopes. Aaron Rodgers, after recovering from an Achilles injury, was expected to lead the team to a playoff push. Surrounding him was a talented young core that seemed capable of achieving great things. But those hopes were quickly dashed when the team was overwhelmed by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. After bouncing back with two wins against the Titans and Patriots, the Jets were once again brought down to earth with a humiliating loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. That defeat marked the beginning of a downward spiral that led to five straight losses, and from that point on, the team never recovered. Even after firing their coach, trading for a big-name wide receiver, and eventually parting ways with their general manager, the Jets were unable to turn things around.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, the primary culprits for the Jets’ disastrous 2024 season are Aaron Rodgers, Joe Douglas, and Haason Reddick. Each of them has contributed in their own way to the team’s downfall.
Aaron Rodgers Has Not Lived Up to Expectations
Aaron Rodgers’ second season with the Jets was expected to be the one where he led the team back to glory. After an Achilles injury cut his 2023 season short after just four snaps, the anticipation surrounding his return was immense. Fans were eager to see the future Hall of Famer elevate the team and bring much-needed success to a franchise that had long struggled. However, as the season has unfolded, it’s become clear that the Jets did not get the Aaron Rodgers they had hoped for.
This was painfully evident in the Week 13 loss to the Seahawks. After a momentum-shifting kickoff return touchdown put the Jets up 21-7, they had a golden opportunity to further extend their lead. Rodgers led the team into the red zone and had Garrett Wilson wide open for a potential touchdown on second down. Instead of connecting on the easy pass, Rodgers sailed the ball over Wilson’s head, resulting in an incomplete pass. On third down, Rodgers threw an interception to Leonard Williams, who returned it for a touchdown. A play like that would have been unthinkable for the Aaron Rodgers of his Green Bay days, and it summed up his struggles in 2024. With the Jets’ future uncertain under a new regime, Rodgers’ place on the team is now in question. While he has expressed a desire to return, cutting him would result in a massive dead cap hit, making any future decisions complicated. Nevertheless, it’s hard to see how the Jets can move forward with Rodgers after this underwhelming season.
Joe Douglas’ Failed Tenure Cost the Jets the 2024 Season
Joe Douglas, the Jets’ general manager, was fired during the Week 12 bye after nearly six years at the helm. Despite being given ample time to build a competitive team, Douglas failed to get the Jets even remotely close to the playoffs. His biggest failure came in his handling of the quarterback position. Douglas was tasked with finding a long-term solution at quarterback and had two major opportunities to do so—first with Rodgers, and then with Zach Wilson. While Rodgers was supposed to be the answer, his struggles and injury troubles have been a disaster. Meanwhile, Douglas’ earlier commitment to Wilson as the future face of the franchise turned out to be a massive misstep. Wilson’s inability to develop into an NFL-caliber starter has only highlighted Douglas’ failures in constructing a competent roster. While Douglas did hire head coach Robert Saleh, he gave him a much longer leash than many other general managers would have, allowing the team to remain stuck in mediocrity for too long. With Douglas now gone, it’s clear that the failure of the 2024 season falls squarely on his shoulders, given the way he failed to construct a winning team and failed to fix the most important position on the field.
Haason Reddick’s Defensive Inconsistencies
Though Haason Reddick isn’t directly responsible for the team’s offensive struggles, his play on defense has been underwhelming as well. While Reddick has shown glimpses of brilliance, he has not been able to consistently anchor the defense in the way that was expected of him. At times, the defense has faltered, allowing key plays to slip through their fingers in critical moments. Reddick, as one of the more high-profile players on the defensive side, needed to be a force throughout the season, but his inconsistency has hurt the team’s overall performance. In a year where every mistake has been magnified, Reddick’s inability to step up has contributed to the Jets’ overall lack of success.
In conclusion, the New York Jets’ 2024 season is a prime example of high expectations gone wrong. While there were several factors at play, the key individuals who bear the brunt of the blame for this disaster are Aaron Rodgers, Joe Douglas, and Haason Reddick. Rodgers has not been the quarterback the Jets hoped for, Douglas failed to build a competitive roster, and Reddick’s defensive inconsistencies have hurt the team. As the Jets look to rebuild for the future, it is clear that these figures played significant roles in sinking the team’s chances this season.
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