As if the Jets' season couldn't get any more bizarre. New report from The Athletic Owner Woody Johnson revealed that he suggested Aaron Rodgers be benched on the coaching staff after the team lost to the Broncos in Week 4.
The newspaper called the meeting at the Jets' facility in Forum Park, New Jersey, “controversial.”
According to reports, a meeting the day after that September loss included Johnson, then-general manager Joe Douglas, Jets vice president Christopher Johnson, team president Jaimy Elhai, and Johnson. Senior Advisor Ira Axelrad reportedly participated.
Also in attendance were then-head coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett, then-defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer.
It was during the session that Coach Johnson proposed benching Rodgers, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, because the Jets' owner believed the QB's performance was hindering the team's success.
Rodgers went 24-of-42 for 225 yards in the loss, but the Jets were 2-2 at the time.
Johnson wanted to start backup Tyrod Taylor instead.
Johnson's proposal was rescinded just four weeks into the season because the staff determined the bold proposal would embarrass Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, and cause problems within the locker room.
But the dominoes have fallen rapidly since then, with Saleh fired by Johnson on Oct. 8 and Douglas fired on Tuesday during the Jets' bye week.
The Jets are 1-5 and 3-8 since Ulbrich took over as interim head coach, but Rodgers remains the starter.
