Aaron Rodgers drama is no longer a concern for Green Bay Packers fans.
While there’s no doubting the new New York Jets quarterback is one of the best to ever play the position, it’s also tough to argue that he won’t be followed by a circus wherever he goes.
This has happened again this season, and Rodgers only played four snaps for the Jets before injuring his Achilles in Week 1.
What happened since then?
He’s managed to stay at the front of the news cycle, suggesting unlikely early returns and giving Jets supporters false optimism.
His current move is one of the more strange the former Green Bay Packers player has made.
Aaron Rodgers, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback, has returned, sort of.
Following all of the back and forth, conflicting rumors, and jumbled information, Rodgers formally announced his retirement from the NFL this season during a Tuesday visit on the Pat McAfee Show earlier this week.
However, in an unusual move, the New York Jets activated Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday, bumping him up to the 53-man roster, resulting in the discharge of fullback Nick Bawden.
People rushed to social media with some amusing jabs at Rodgers.
Buffalo Bills commentator Greg Tompsett said, “Can you imagine working your a** off to make an NFL roster and then getting released because a 40-year-old whose NOT going to play wants to reinforce the healing power of listening to Dolphin sex and taking ayahuasca.”
Others were not pleased with the change.
“Rodgers should probably give him a few game checks,” remarked Tom Downey.
Former NFL player Ross Tucker didn’t mince words.
“We need to cut you so a guy who said yesterday on TV that he isn’t playing this season can hang out on the practice field.”
“I met Nick Bawden’s family before the Jets played the Raiders in November and was told that Nick Bawden’s 90+ year old grandmother wants to ‘have words’ with Nate Hackett!” claimed ESPN radio presenter Jake Asman. Legendary quote, and she is correct!”
Then there were those who preferred to vent their rage at the former Green Bay Packers quarterback from behind a screen.
Robert Saleh discovers a way to justify Aaron Rodgers’ bizarre move
Even though Rodgers has little chance of appearing in a game, he still earns one of the coveted 53 spots that players labor tirelessly to obtain.
Saleh stated that the team had enough roster flexibility to keep four quarterbacks active. Rodgers now joins Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Brett Rypien as active signal callers.
Rodgers would have been ineligible to continue practicing if the Jets had not activated him from injured reserve. He may now continue to earn practice reps with the team as they prepare for the last three regular-season games.
However, allowing Aaron Rodgers to practice came at a cost to both the New York Jets and one player in particular.
Bawden, 27, was dismissed by the Jets to make place for the former Green Bay Packers franchise quarterback.
Rich Cimini pointed out that Bawden is one of just five New York Jets players to rank in the top ten of their respective positions in Pro Bowl fan voting.
This season, he appeared in 14 games and made two starts. He had two receptions for 13 yards and two runs for four yards. Although one of those rushing efforts resulted in a score, Bawden is primarily used as a blocker.
Other media outlets noted that Bawden has been battling with a new injury and will almost certainly be added to the practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster for the last three games, stressing that this move was completely procedural.
