The New York Jets entered the 2023 season with a ton of optimism. They had planned on being contenders after acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers this offseason in a trade. Disappointingly, those plans went up in flames almost instantly.
The Jets took on the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football for Rodgers’ debut with the team. On his fourth snap on the game, their worst nightmare came to fruition. The future Hall of Famer suffered an injury, which has now been confirmed.
Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into his Jets career. That puts an end to his 2023 season and potentially his career, as he won’t be back on the field any time soon. New York was able to win the game against the Bills in overtime 22-16 courtesy of an Xavier Gipson punt return for a touchdown. But, it certainly still feels like they lost.
With Rodgers sidelined, the Jets are now turning back to Zach Wilson. Wilson was the only quarterback on the 53-man roster other than Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh has confirmed he will be the starter going forward.
But, the Jets are going to have to add another quarterback to their roster. Tim Boyle is on the practice squad and will likely be signed to the active roster, but they need more than two. One former NFL executive who spoke to NFL Analysis Network believes the Jets should consider bringing on Cam Newton.
“There are some options out there in free agency that the Jets could consider. One name that hasn’t been mentioned much is Cam Newton. I think he’s well worth looking into for New York.”
We last saw Newton in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers during the 2021 season. He went 0-5 as their starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Newton did the same thing in 2020 with the New England Patriots, throwing 10 interceptions and only eight touchdowns in 15 starts, going 7-8.
The No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft showed those two seasons that he can still make some plays with his legs. But, it is certainly debatable how much of an upgrade he would be over Wilson as the Jets’ starter.
