Aaron Rodgers is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, celebrated for his record-setting achievements and historic milestones. However, not every milestone in his illustrious career is one to be proud of. Unfortunately, Rodgers etched his name into the NFL record books for an unwelcome reason during the New York Jets’ Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
In the third quarter of the Jets’ 40-14 loss, Rodgers was sacked for the 566th time, surpassing Tom Brady to become the most sacked quarterback in NFL history. What makes this record even more staggering is that Rodgers reached this dubious milestone despite playing 88 fewer games and attempting 3,845 fewer dropbacks than Brady. His 6.45% sack rate stands in stark contrast to Brady’s, being nearly two percentage points higher, underscoring the persistent pressure he has faced throughout his career.
As if being sacked wasn’t bad enough, the sequence that followed added insult to injury. On the very next play, Rodgers threw his second interception of the game, a poorly placed pass that landed in the hands of Buffalo’s Christian Benford. To compound the misery, Rodgers was penalized for an unnecessary roughness call after delivering a late hit on Benford as he returned the interception. This marked the first unnecessary roughness penalty of Rodgers’ two-decade-long career, a surreal and ironic moment for a player known for his poise and discipline.
The penalty seemed to trigger a complete meltdown for the Jets. Just five plays later, Bills quarterback Josh Allen connected with Amari Cooper for a 30-yard touchdown, extending Buffalo’s lead to 19-0. The Jets’ defense unraveled as the Bills scored on their next three possessions, turning the game into a rout.
Rodgers’ individual performance was one of the worst of his career. He completed just 12 of 18 passes for 112 yards, threw two interceptions, and was responsible for a safety. His outing marked the fewest yards he’s ever thrown in a game with multiple interceptions. By the fourth quarter, head coach Robert Saleh had seen enough, replacing Rodgers with Tyrod Taylor. While Taylor managed to salvage some dignity with two garbage-time touchdowns, the game still ended as a blowout, leaving the Jets to contemplate their worst defeat of the season.
For Rodgers, the loss also represented a new low. It was the first time in his career that he faced a 40-point deficit in a game he started, a shocking statistic for a player of his caliber. For the Jets, it was yet another chapter in what has been a nightmare season. Their 2024 campaign has been plagued by dysfunction, inconsistency, and a lack of identity, raising serious questions about the future direction of the franchise.
The Jets now face a critical decision regarding Rodgers’ future. While the veteran quarterback remains under contract, his Week 17 performance did little to inspire confidence in his ability to lead the team moving forward. As the season winds down, the organization must assess whether Rodgers can still be a centerpiece of their long-term plans or if it’s time to explore other options.
For now, both Rodgers and the Jets are left to grapple with the wreckage of a disastrous season that will likely go down as one of the most forgettable chapters in the franchise’s history. The once-promising partnership between the star quarterback and the storied franchise has devolved into chaos, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering if things can ever be salvaged.
Aaron Rodgers reaches new historic low as NY Jets somehow find another rock bottom
