Awkward moment Aaron Rodgers loses patience with reporter asking about Jets’ 14-year playoff drought
Aaron Rodgers’ patience for the New York media is thinner than the Jets’ offensive line.
The 41-year-old passer was asked about the team’s 14-year playoff drought after the Jets were eliminated from postseason contention with Sunday’s 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins in Miami.
“This organization hasn’t made the playoffs for 14 years in a row now,” Newsday’s Tom Rock began. “That’s almost hard to do.”
At that point, Rodgers hurriedly snapped, “What’s the question?”
Unfazed, the veteran NFL reporter politely asked Rodgers to “think about that.”
Of course, Rodgers wasn’t brought in until last season, which he missed almost all of with a torn Achilles tendon. And while the Jets’ playoff drought is the longest in major American sports, only a fraction of the blame can be placed on Rodgers, as he was quick to point out.
Aaron Rodgers delivered his first 300-yard passing game in almost three years on Sunday
“I mean, I’ve been here, I’ve started a year,” Rodgers said. ‘So I’m there for a year. It’s disappointing.’
The beleaguered Jets fans found some unexpected joy in the exchange.
“Rodgers is now part of a long, proud legacy!” someone commented on X.
“He’s not wrong,” another fan wrote. ‘How does he still manage to be a***?!’
Rodgers was sacked three times on Sunday behind New York’s patchwork, but still delivered his first 300-yard passing performance in nearly three years.
New York has now failed to reach the playoffs since 2010, when the team was led by head coach Rex Ryan, young quarterback Mark Sanchez, veterans D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Bart Scott, as well as future Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson and Darrelle Revis.
Not only did Gang Green qualify for the second consecutive postseason, but Ryan pulled off a historic playoff against the hated New England Patriots in Foxborough. If not for a heartbreaking 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship, the Jets would have been in Super Bowl XLV against Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Fast forward to Sunday’s overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, and the snapshot changes significantly. The 32–26 loss dropped New York to 3–10, eliminating interim coach Jeff Ulbrich’s team from postseason contention and further putting Rodgers’ future with the team in doubt.
“Thanks, I almost forgot because it’s not like we literally hear this every day,” one fan joked online after former ESPN host Trey Wingo reminded everyone of this fact.
Rodgers was sacked three times on Sunday behind New York’s patchwork
The Sabers face their own potential 14-year playoff drought if they can’t reach the postseason this spring. Buffalo has rehired Lindy Ruff, the last coach to lead the Sabers to the playoffs
Rex Ryan and Josh Mauga of the New York Jets celebrate a 23-20 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010. New York would reach the playoffs that season
Despite the disappointing season, some fans were encouraged by the loss given its implications for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Also one match from the first choice, which is the most important right now,” one man commented on X.
Many more NHL Buffalo Sabers fans were quick to say that their favorite hockey team isn’t far behind. With a record of 11-13-3, the Sabers’ playoff drought could last 14 seasons if they don’t qualify this spring.
Interestingly enough, Buffalo has re-hired Lindy Ruff, the last coach to guide the Sabers to the postseason in 2010-11.
Ryan, meanwhile, has been open about his interest in rejoining the Jets after being let go after missing the playoffs every year from 2011 through 2014.
“I have some unfinished business with that franchise,” Ryan told Barstool Sports last month.
“That particular franchise, you know my dad [Buddy Ryan] was there forever, he won a Super Bowl [as a defensive line coach]and it’s super close to me,” Ryan continued.
“I would get back in there if I thought I could make a difference and I think I can make a big difference with that team.”