Packers analyst reveals why Aaron Rodgers could fail with Jets

The New York Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers for one reason. They are going all-in for the Super Bowl.

With a top-five defense and an offense featuring the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Rodgers is expected to lead the Jets on a deep playoff run.

Rodgers won four NFL MVPs and a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. However, the team failed to return to the Super Bowl for 12 straight seasons after winning the Lombardi Trophy in 2011. Green Bay had plenty of talented rosters in that span.

Will it be different with the Jets? Can Rodgers replicate the success Tom Brady had when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020?

It's possible, but there are some major concerns for the Jets this season.

Packers analyst reveals why Aaron Rodgers could fail with the Jets

Packers analyst Peter Bukowski, who writes for The Leap and hosts the Locked On Packers podcast, made some interesting points on Twitter.

So, let's break it down. Bukowski made some bold statements, but his points are valid.

There are legitimate concerns about the Jets' offensive line. Can they consistently protect their MVP quarterback entering his age-40 season?

The Packers take a lot of heat for not surrounding Rodgers with enough talent, but he has rarely had to worry about his offensive line in Green Bay. Several All-Pros and Pro Bowlers have protected Rodgers over the years.

That includes five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, Pro Bowl guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang, All-Pro center Corey Linsley, rock-solid right tackle Bryan Bulaga, Pro Bowl guard/tackle Elgton Jenkins, and Pro Bowl tackle Chad Clifton.

Rodgers won't have that luxury in New York. ESPN's Mike Clay ranked the Jets' offensive line 26th in the NFL for 2023.

They struggled big-time last year. According to ESPN, they ranked 21st in pass block win rate and 30th in run block win rate.

That's not to say this offensive line can't improve. They drafted center Joe Tippmann and tackle Carter Warren and signed former Packers starter Billy Turner, whose best position is tackle. The Jets can have a good offensive line, but Rodgers is used to great offensive lines in Green Bay, as Bukowski highlighted.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt provided some insight into how the Jets' offense could look with Rodgers.

Rosenblatt writes:

"There will be concepts Rodgers likes from other offenses — like some things the Chargers used to run with Philip Rivers — and less pre-snap motion. Rodgers mentioned multiple times in interviews over the last few years that he wished Green Bay throttled back on that motion, a staple of Matt LaFleur's offense."

- Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic

Motion was a key part of LaFleur's offense, even with Rodgers, although we saw less of it last season.

This new version of the Rodgers-Hackett offense feels like a weird mismatch of things they like. It sounds a lot closer to the Mike McCarthy offense than LaFleur's.

Bukowski's final point was about the Packers receivers joining Rodgers in New York. Again, he's not wrong. Allen Lazard is a solid receiver but Randall Cobb isn't the key contributor he once was. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were the most exciting, explosive pass-catchers for the Packers last season.

Of all the points Bukowski made, the most important was about the offensive line. Rodgers can't extend plays like he used to. He needs time in the pocket. With the Packers, he was often protected by one of the league's best offensive lines featuring All-Pros and Pro Bowlers.

The Jets' offensive line could be good this season, but it may need to be great.

Maybe Rodgers leads the Jets to a championship. He is still a great quarterback and they have an excellent roster. But there are concerns. One thing is certain: Rodgers' Jets will be fascinating to watch.

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