Those hoping for another quarterback for the Jets will have to wait.
The Jets have lost eight of their past nine games, and despite falling short again in a 26-21 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, they will start quarterback Aaron Rodgers next week against the Dolphins. .
“We have a lot of confidence in Aaron, we really do,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday morning. “I think he's going to give us the best chance to win. After evaluating yesterday's game, I thought there were moments in the first half where you saw Aaron Rodgers. There were also moments in the second half when you saw Aaron Rodgers. I think there were moments where he looked and then there were moments where he didn't play to his standards and he said the same thing to you, we gave him the best chance to win. He's our quarterback because we believe he can give us that.”
Ulbrich left the door open for substitutions immediately after Sunday's game, but slammed the door shut on Monday morning.
Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, has struggled this season, and Sunday's loss snapped the Jets' ninth straight loss of the season. Mathematically, they still have a chance to make the playoffs, but at 3-9 there is no realistic chance, and the Jets will miss the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year, the longest in a major North American sport. This results in a drought.
All of this leads to the question of whether the Jets should bench the future Hall of Famer, something that was unthinkable earlier this year. Tyrod Taylor is the Jets' backup quarterback.
Coach Ulbrich pointed out that Rodgers has been hampered by injuries this year. He injured his ankle, knee and hamstring in October, but said he is now fully healthy. He was not on the injury report last week for the first time since Week 4.
“The last game he was really healthy goes back to the second Patriots game and then this game. I think we started to see his mobility starting to come back,” Ulbrich said, which was likely back in September. It means the Patriots' first game. “Obviously, I think injuries have had a lot to do with his performance this season. He's been through a lot no matter your age. What he has is one of the best in this league. That's something some guys in the division might not be able to play. He's tough. He's a guy and feels a high level of responsibility to his teammates. That's why he comes in for us every week. We'll continue to work with him as he gets healthier and starts to get more mobile. , I believe we will see a better version of him.”
Rodgers has never thrown for 300 yards in a game this season. On Sunday, he had 185 passing yards and two touchdowns, but threw a costly interception that Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams returned 92 yards and a touchdown.
On the previous play, Rodgers missed a wide-open Garrett Wilson in the end zone.
Ulbrich said Rodgers' pedigree influenced his decision.
“That's part of every conversation about Aaron,” Ulbrich said. “He's done amazing things. He's done legendary things. Hall of Fame stuff in this league. It's always part of the conversation.”
Ulbrich declined to say how much influence owner Woody Johnson had on the decision.
“Woody and I have fun, healthy conversations, and we like to keep those things private,” Ulbrich said.
As for the rest of the season, Ulbrich was asked if this is a week-to-week decision, or if Rodgers will be in charge for the remaining five games if healthy.
“He's our quarterback,” Ulbrich replied.
