Aaron Rodgers defends Zach Wilson, rails against report saying Jets QB was reluctant to start again

Aaron Rodgers described a report that Zach Wilson was "reluctant" to return as the New York Jets starter as a character assassination, and said the organization needs to find out who leaked that conversation and others to the media.

Rodgers didn't dispute the story Monday by The Athletic, though he did say the detail of him calling Wilson to get him to reconsider "never (expletive) happened." Instead, Rodgers was incensed at how the report came about.

"When you use sources and, whether intentional or unintentional, try to assassinate someone’s character like that report does for Zach, I have a real hard time with that," Rodgers said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

"How can you read it any other way? You’re basically saying this kid is quitting on the team and doesn’t want to play and is giving the middle finger to the organization," Rodgers added. "I don’t want to speak for him. He’s going to get a chance this week to speak and I’m going to let him speak. ... (But) he’s gone through a lot of (expletive) in the last three years and he’s got every right to be frustrated and disappointed about it."

More: Jets drop Tim Boyle, add Brett Rypien in latest QB shuffle

The Jets were expected to be playoff contenders after trading for Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, in the spring. But Rodgers tore his Achilles four snaps into the Jets' season opener and New York was forced to turn to Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft.

He played well enough for the Jets to be in the mix at 4-3 at the end of October, leaving the door open for a possible Rodgers return. But New York dropped its next five games, with Wilson being benched for the last two.

The Athletic reported Monday that the Jets want Wilson to be the starter again for this week's game against the Houston Texans, but Wilson is "reluctant to be stepping back in." The story added Wilson was "apprehensive due to perceived injury risk” even after Rodgers reached out to him to encourage him to start again.

"I don't know about the gist of the conversation," Rodgers said. "I know that what was reported was not factually correct, as far as my involvement. It made it seem like there was some big drama that was going on and then we had to bring in the old guy and say, `Hey, call this young guy and square everything up.' That never (expletive) happened. That was never part of any of it."

Jets coach Robert Saleh said Monday that rather than being reluctant, Wilson lobbied him for the starter's job. But Saleh said he told Wilson he wasn't ready to make a decision for Sunday's game.

On Tuesday, the Jets cut Tim Boyle, their starter the last two games, and signed Brett Rypien.

This isn't the first time Rodgers has criticized the media. It's not even the first time he's criticized reporters who cover the Jets. He was incensed with a report in March that he'd given the Jets a list of free agents he wanted signed — though New York ultimately signed several players on the list.

In addition to criticizing the media, though, Rodgers took aim at those in organizations who are willing to be anonymous sources.

"Whoever that person is that thinks it’s OK, No. 1, to talk to anybody like that, I don’t understand what you get out of that. But No. 2, what is your impetus, what is your motivation to try and bury someone like that? That’s a problem with the organization," Rodgers said. "We need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it, privately, because there’s no place (for it) in a winning culture."

Rodgers still not ruling out return

If Rodgers does return this season, look for it to happen in the Dec. 24 game against the Washington Commanders.

The recovery from a torn Achilles is usually six to nine months for elite athletes. But Rodgers fast-tracked his rehab with the hopes of returning for the end of the season and helping the Jets make a last push for the playoffs.

OPINION: An Aaron Rodgers return this season would only hurt the Jets

The Jets are 4-8 and have little chance of reaching the postseason, making Rodgers' return a moot point. But they are not yet mathematically eliminated and Rodgers said Tuesday "you never know what could happen."

"The 24th was on my mind. I felt like that was ... reasonable based on my progress," he said. "The 24th was always what I was focused on."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers wants Jets to identify leaker of Zach Wilson story