The New York Jets have experienced numerous low moments throughout their history—iconic blunders like the infamous “Butt Fumble” and the stunning defection of Bill Belichick to the rival New England Patriots. Since their historic Super Bowl III upset of the Baltimore Colts in 1969, it’s been a long and bumpy road for Jets fans.
On Sunday night, during a 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that dropped the Jets to a disappointing 2-5, quarterback Aaron Rodgers found himself at the center of a new low point. While the game was already a tough pill to swallow for New York supporters, it took a bizarre turn when NBC cameras caught Rodgers on the sidelines in a moment that quickly went viral.
“Jets season is going up in flames and Aaron Rodgers is on the sideline eating his boogers,” one fan posted on social media, after the broadcast appeared to show the four-time MVP picking his nose and eating it. The footage swiftly made the rounds online, drawing both mockery and disgust from viewers.
Rodgers’ performance on the field didn’t help matters. Reunited with his former Green Bay Packers teammate Davante Adams, Rodgers struggled to make an impact, completing just three of nine targets to the All-Pro wide receiver. Adding insult to injury, Rodgers threw two interceptions during the game, fueling more jokes from frustrated fans.
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“That’s his third pick of the game,” one viewer quipped, referring to the viral booger incident. Others seized the opportunity to bring up Rodgers’ controversial stance on COVID-19 vaccinations. One fan sarcastically asked, “Vaxxed?” while another chimed in, “Ivermectin side effects,” referencing the alternative treatment Rodgers had previously touted.
Some fans took a more lighthearted approach, poking fun at Rodgers for the act itself. “Yikes,” wrote one, “No nutritional value in those.”
Rodgers’ rocky night stirred even more discontent among Jets faithful, with many voicing their longing for former first-round pick Zach Wilson, who had a brief stint as the Jets’ starter last season before being traded to the Denver Broncos. Last year, Wilson led the Jets to a 4-3 record while filling in for an injured Rodgers. Now, with Rodgers at the helm, the team has fallen to 2-5, and fans are growing impatient as yet another rebuild looms.
NFL columnist Jason La Canfora didn’t mince words in his critique of Rodgers and the Jets, posting on X, “Someone needs to inoculate America from having to watch this washed-up conspiracy-hound, fake smart guy QB and his horses*** offense on national TV all the time.” La Canfora added, “I wish I was immune to their garbage offense. Is there a shot for that? Who is Rodgers gonna blame for this s***show?”
After the game, Rodgers responded to the criticism by taking a swipe at the media. When asked how the Jets can keep morale high in the locker room, Rodgers fired back, “Stop listening to you guys, number one.” He went on to emphasize that the team just needs to focus on winning, saying, “Just gotta win, starting this week.”
The Jets will travel to Foxborough next Sunday to face the 1-6 New England Patriots, the only team with a worse record than New York in the AFC East. Rodgers and the Jets previously defeated the Patriots 24-3 at home earlier this season, and the team will be looking to repeat that performance to get back on track.
Whether Rodgers can regain his form and silence his critics, however, remains to be seen.
