David Chao, MD
2 min read • April 26, 2023
Posted in
It’s official. Aaron Rodgers is a New York Jet.
Now that the deal is done, the next question is will it pan out for a franchise that has not seen the postseason since 2010 – when they sported the QB/RB combo of Mark Sanchez and LaDainian Tomlinson.
If the Jets hope to crack the postseason, the team will have to keep Rodgers healthy. That responsibility falls to the offensive line – which was middle-of-the-pack in sacks allowed last season with 42.
Quarterback injuries typically happen outside the pocket, as was the case with Rodgers’ thumb injury last season.
In its current state, the Jets’ offensive stacks up like this: Duane Brown, Laken Tomlins, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Max Mitchell or Mekhi Becton.
Becton missed all last season after undergoing surgery to remedy a right knee injury he suffered during training camp.
While the fourth-year tackle has now missed two straight seasons, he could be an option at left tackle because he also underwent surgery to realign his right kneecap and fix a recurring issue with his inside leg.
Brown, who played 12 games at left tackle for the Jets last season, has had a host of shoulder issues in his career and will be 38 when the season starts. He had a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 57.8 last season, with a pass blocking score of 72.3 and a run blocking score of 44.4.
The Jets could also opt to draft a tackle with the No. 15 overall pick in the draft, but their trade to the Packers granted Green Bay the first shot at a tackle.
If things fall the way mock drafters expect, New York will be in the mix for Ohio State’s Paris Johnson, Georgia’s Broderick Jones or Tennessee’s Darnell Wright with their first-round pick.
Rodgers did not have a consistent left tackle last season – as David Bakhtiari played in just 11 games – but the former Green Bay passer was sacked 32 times, which ranked seventh fewest in the league.
New York’s quarterbacks had a host of injury issues last season, including a torn meniscus and bone bruise for Zach Wilson along with broken ribs for Mike White.
Prior to the NFL Draft, the Jets currently have the sixth best odds to win Super Bowl LVIII at +1400, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
They are +250 to win the AFC East and Rodgers is +1600 to win MVP.
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Written by David Chao, MD
