The politically inconvenient sports mega star Aaron Rodgers, who was once tapped to be the vice presidential pick for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is under fire again.
What for this time?
At a glance:
- Shannon Sharpe criticized Aaron Rodgers for his role in the firing of Jets coach Robert Saleh after a disappointing start to the season.
- Sharpe pointed to Rodgers skipping a mandatory minicamp as the beginning of the team’s dysfunction.
- Sharpe emphasized Rodgers’ poor performance and its impact on the Jets’ struggles, especially in their recent game against the Vikings.
ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe didn’t hold back his criticism of Aaron Rodgers following the surprising dismissal of New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday morning. The firing blindsided many, as the Jets have had a mediocre start to the season, standing at 2-3 but only one game behind the division leader, Buffalo.
During a live segment on First Take, Sharpe directed his frustration at Rodgers, suggesting that the quarterback’s actions and performance played a significant role in Saleh’s firing. Specifically, Sharpe pointed to Rodgers skipping a mandatory minicamp over the summer, which created an unsettling dynamic within the team.
“Saleh didn’t lose this team,” Sharpe said on air. “Aaron Rodgers undercut this man by not coming to minicamp. We heard the mumbles saying how that looked because it was mandatory.” According to Sharpe, this decision by Rodgers undermined Saleh’s authority and leadership, sowing doubt among the players about the quarterback’s commitment to the team. “This guy is supposed to be our leader; this is the guy we’re supposed to count on,” Sharpe remarked, referencing the players’ potential reaction to Rodgers’ absence.
Rodgers’ decision not to attend minicamp wasn’t the only point of contention for Sharpe. He also lambasted Rodgers for his poor play this season. Sharpe highlighted Rodgers’ underwhelming statistics, including a completion percentage just over 60% and a lackluster QBR of 81.6. In particular, Sharpe pointed to Rodgers’ disastrous performance against the Minnesota Vikings, where he threw three interceptions in a close game the Jets ultimately lost. Sharpe emphasized that the Jets’ defense, led by Saleh, held up their end of the bargain by keeping the team competitive, allowing only 52 points in the last four games.
Sharpe criticized his co-host, Dan Orlovsky, for failing to address Rodgers’ poor performance, especially in comparison to other elite quarterbacks. “Can you imagine Tom Brady later in his career getting the coach fired? Can you imagine Peyton Manning later in his career having a coach fired on his watch?” Sharpe asked, drawing comparisons between Rodgers and other all-time greats.
Sharpe argued that Rodgers’ lack of accountability and poor play were major factors in the Jets’ struggles, ultimately leading to Saleh’s dismissal. He made it clear that while Saleh was the one who lost his job, Rodgers shares a significant portion of the blame for the team’s underperformance. “This is on Aaron Rodgers,” Sharpe concluded.
Ultimately, Sharpe’s criticism points to a broader issue within the Jets organization, where internal dysfunction and underwhelming quarterback play seem to have contributed to the head coach’s downfall.