The New York Jets will be fascinating to watch this offseason, and the biggest reason is how the franchise approaches free agency after comments at the scouting combine.
The decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers garnered a mixed reaction, as did what new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey stated in the aftermath.
ESPN's Rich Cimini isn't entirely sure that the Jets know what the road ahead looks like after moving on from Rodgers, but then stating the franchise is in the "win now" business.
“It almost sounded scripted," Cimini writes. "Mougey said the Jets' goal is "winning now and from now on." A few minutes later, in a separate news conference at the combine, Glenn said, "Every decision that me and Mooge make is to win, and to win now.
"Actions speak louder than words, though. Their true feelings about the current roster should come to light by their level of aggressiveness in free agency and the draft. They've already made one move that belies a win-now philosophy -- the decision to release Aaron Rodgers, 41, a win-now quarterback if there ever was one. On the surface, it sends a mixed message.”
Cimini is right.
If the Jets were in "win now" mode, then Rodgers, over any other free agent or draftable quarterback, would give them the best chance at winning.
So there is the mixed message Cimini is talking about.
Do the Jets firmly believe that they can win in 2025 without Rodgers? It does seem that way, but we're skeptical. Plus, would any other quarterback give the Jets a better chance at winning than Rodgers? That's doubtful too.
It is clear that Glenn and Mougey want to put a vision to the 2025 version of the Jets, but when the messaging isn't clear, as it hasn't been at the scouting combine, it throws everything off schedule.
Do the Jets want to win now, and firmly believe it? If the answer is yes, then Rodgers would likely still be in the building, right?
