Jets owner Woody Johnson floated benching Aaron Rodgers before firing coach, GM: report

Nick Wright reacts to the New York Jets firing Joe Douglas after five seasons.

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has taken several drastic measures in hopes of salvaging this season, including his recent decision to part ways with general manager Joe Douglas more than halfway through his sixth season with the team. 

But according to one report, the longtime NFL owner had considered making one major change even before firing both his head coach and GM. 

Woody Johnson, the New York Jets owner, before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sept. 9, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Citing several sources, The Athletic reported Tuesday that Johnson had floated the idea of benching quarterback Aaron Rodgers for backup Tyrod Taylor after the Jets’ Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos. 

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A meeting was held following the 10-9 loss to Denver and present was former head coach Robert Saleh, Douglas, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and then-defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, among other executive leadership, according to the report. 

During that meeting, sources told The Athletic that Johnson suggested benching the four-time league MVP because he felt Rodgers’ lackluster performance after just four games was limiting the team’s potential.

Johnson was convinced otherwise by Douglas and the coaches, who suggested that the decision would not go over well in the locker room and that it would embarrass Rodgers. 

Woody Johnson talks with Aaron Rodgers prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

But another loss, this