Aaron Rodgers Says If He Doesn't Play Well Everybody At The Jets Is 'Out Of Here'

So what are the stakes for Aaron Rodgers this year? Well, there's the nearly unprecedented challenge of coming back from a season-ending Achilles injury at the age of 40. There's this thing about living up to the NFL's expectations for the Jets from last year.

And there's the motivation of not getting fired. And not having everyone else around him fired if the team doesn't win. 

So there's pressure on everyone over there.

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 28: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on before kickoff against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Win Or We're Out, Rodgers Believes

"All of us, yeah," Rodgers told reporters on Tuesday. "I think if I don't do what I know I'm capable of we're all probably going to be out of here, so …"

Got to love the bluntness.

And the truth.

More on that in a minute. First, it should be clarified that Rodgers doesn't believe that's what's going to happen. Indeed, he's enjoying the idea of facing that difficult situation.

"I like that kind of pressure," Rodgers said. "It's a tough market (New York) to play in. It's not for everybody. I relish that opportunity. That's the way the NFL is. I'm not saying anything monumental … 

"This is how it is every single year. You just might not say it, but as you older in the league, if you don't perform, they're going to get rid of you. Or bring in the next guy to take over." 

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets paces the side line during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

Saleh, Douglas Jobs On Line

Rodgers isn't wrong.

Jets owner Woody Johnson did weigh what to do with coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in light of a disappointing 7-10 season last season.

Johnson ultimately decided the team's leadership could not be held to account for losing in a season Rodgers, the big trade target of last offseason, injured his Achilles on the fourth play of the season.

But that doesn't change the fact the Jets have never had a winning record or gone to the playoffs during the time Saleh and Douglas have worked for the club. Saleh's record in three years is 18-33.

So more of the same this year puts the coach and the general manager at serious risk.

Johnson hasn't said that. What he has actually said is he must see progress from a competitive team.

"You want to feel like you're getting the most out of all the players," Johnson said in March. "You're winning, or close to winning every single game."

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02:  New York Jets owner Woody Johnson looks on before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Woody Johnson Wants Competitive Team

Again, that was March. It's not out of the realm of possibility if the Jets lose a bunch of close games, thus meeting Johnson's criteria, the owner still decides to move on to a brain trust that can actually finish with wins.

Rodgers, meanwhile, is fully aware the Jets can cut him with a post June 1 designation next March and save $9.5 million in salary cap space.

So he apparently doesn't feel entitled to his roster spot beyond this year. He said he never felt that way in Green Bay early in his career and actually felt as if he was "on the hot seat" in 2009 if he didn't play well.

Rodgers did play well. And won the Super Bowl. And four MVP awards.

And Rodgers believes he's still that guy.

"I can still throw with the best of 'em," Rodgers said.

There is one more motivation for avoiding another letdown season.

"I don't want to go out," Rodgers added, "as I've said before, as a bum."