MIAMI GARDEN, Fla. — Aaron Rodgers Watch has been a hot topic this week with questions about whether the Jets should make him the starter, how motivated he is to continue playing and what his future with the franchise will be.
Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, will return as the Jets' center Sunday against the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Rodgers said this week that he wants to play the remaining five games, even if the Jets, who are 3-9, have very few games left.
“I love football,” Rodgers said. “I don't need a lot of motivation or inspiration from the outside world. I wake up and love what I do. I'm grateful to still be able to play and go out every day to compete and play defense. I want to make it shine” day. ”
If the Jets lose or tie with the Dolphins, they could be officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Miami is 5-7 and fighting for a playoff spot.
Rodgers had a disappointing season.
Last week, he botched a crucial touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson and then threw a pick-six to Leonard Williams in a 26-21 loss to the Seahawks.
Rodgers got the ball in the fourth quarter with a chance to win, but fell short again.
There were five times this season when Rodgers and the offense had a late chance to win and failed.
Despite the failures of Rodgers and the offense, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich continues to root for his quarterback.
“We have a lot of confidence in Aaron,” Ulbrich said. “We really think so and I think he gives us the best chance to win. After evaluating Sunday's game, I thought there were moments in the first half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers played well in the second half. I think there were moments where we saw him, but there were also moments where he didn't play up to his standards and he would say the same thing, so we believe he gives us the best chance to win. That's why he's our quarterback.”
The Jets have yet to score 30 points in a game this season.
Rodgers also hasn't passed for 300 yards in 34 straight games, a streak he hopes to end this week.
“Statistics can be biased either positively or negatively,” Rogers said. “It's certainly weird and I'd like to get rid of it, but there are a lot of stats where I was on the right side and it's certainly not one of my favorites.”
