NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers Expressed Dislike of Jets’ Cut-Block Plays Prior to Injury

In the wake of Aaron Rodgers’ ankle injury, the four-time NFL MVP was apparently unhappy about some of the blocking techniques implemented by the New York Jets going into the season.

Per The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini, Rodgers made it known to Jets coaches he didn’t like play calls that utilized cut-blocks from the offensive line because they didn’t allow him to extend plays.

Connor Hughes of SNY.tv added there was a “feeling” throughout the summer that Rodgers would be able to overcome the play-calling by changing things he didn’t like.

The Jets used cut-blocks on Rodgers’ two dropbacks. The first one resulted in an incomplete pass with pressure from the Bills defense. The second saw Leonard Floyd avoid contact from Duane Brown before sacking Rodgers.

After briefly getting back up, Rodgers sat down on the turf and had to be helped off the field. Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters after his team’s 22-16 win the prognosis isn’t good and the fear is it’s an Achilles injury.

Brown addressed the play after the game.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday an MRI confirmed Rodgers tore his Achilles and will be out for the season.

Former NFL offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz noted on both plays it was “odd” Rodgers didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get rid of the ball even though cut-block plays are generally designed for the quarterback to throw quickly.

The idea of using quick game was almost certainly intentional by the Jets coaching staff. Their biggest question throughout training camp and preseason was how the offensive line would hold up in pass protection.

Rodgers isn’t exactly a quick-game specialist, though he did make great use of RPOs with the Green Bay Packers in his years with Davante Adams. But there’s a difference between plays designed to get the ball out quickly and taking advantage of an opening when the play is supposed to be a run.

The Jets offensive line has been a concern for months. Rodgers was the oldest player in the NFL coming into this season, and older players are more susceptible to injuries. There were also renewed calls from current and former players about the use of artificial turf instead of grass at stadiums, including MetLife Stadium.

Regardless of any questions Rodgers might have had about the play-calling, it’s impossible to say this situation would have been avoided if they called different protections against the Bills.