06 December 2023 , 13:01
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Aaron Rodgers, the injured New York Jets quarterback, has defended his replacement Zach Wilson against rumours that he's reluctant to return to his starting position.
After Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon on his Jets debut, Wilson was thrust into the spotlight and struggled to meet expectations. Following a rocky nine-week stint as a starter, Jets head coach Robert Saleh benched Wilson for the game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 12.
He threw for 1,944 yards, while contributing six touchdowns and seven interceptions before Tim Boyle replaced him as QB to face the Dolphins. However, when Boyle failed to inspire a turn around the Jets' offensive fortunes, Trevor Siemian replaced him during the Week 13 game against Atlanta.
Now, according to the Athletic, Wilson is being considered for a return to action. That said, the Jets have been landed in something of a dilemma, with the sources contending that the 24-year-old is 'reluctant' to return to his role after previous difficulties.
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Rodgers, who remains out of action, has now come forward to defend the man who has been filling his shoes this season by admitting he is unhappy about this information coming from within the Jets. On his regular spot on ESPN's 'The Pat McAfee Show', he gave an extensive defence of the former second overall pick.
"When you use sources and whether intentional or unintentional try to assassinate someone's character like that report does for Zach, I have a hard time with that. You're basically saying that this kid is quitting on the team and doesn't want to play and is giving the middle finger to the organisation.
"What is your impetus, what is your motivation to try and bury someone like that? That's a problem with the organisation," he argued, calling for an end to such leaks.
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Injured Aaron Rodgers has defended his replacement at quarterback for the New York Jets"We need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it privately, because there's no place in a winning culture where this is not the only time. There's been a bunch of other leaks. I think it's chickens*** at its core, and I think it has no place in a winning organisation."
Coach Saleh has kept quiet about who he'll pick as his starting quarterback against the Houston Texans, but Rodgers has backed Wilson to stay strong despite the current criticism. He stated: "I don't want to speak for [Wilson], because he's gonna get a chance this week to speak. He's dealt with a lot of s***."
"That would crumble a lot of people and I'm proud of him. I'm looking forward to letting him speak. I'll tell you that I love the kid, and I spend a lot of time with him. I think he's an amazing young man and I've had a blast spending time with him."
The NFL superstar also said: "He's gone through a lot of s*** in the last three years and he's got every right to be frustrated and disappointed about it. I think he's done a good job of standing up and taking accountability this year."
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