Report: Rodgers Skipped Injury Testing Out of Fear of Being Benched

Rodgers avoided injury scans earlier this season, reportedly to prevent being benched, a reflection of the instability within the Jets’ organization.

East Rutherford, NJ -- October 14, 2024 -- Aaron Rodgers of the Jets after throwing an interception ending a late game drive for the Jets. The Buffalo Bills came to MetLife Stadium to play the NY Jets. The Jets played their first game under new interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. / Chris Pedota / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New York Jets entered the 2024 season hoping to finally turn their fortunes around, banking on future hall-of-fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to lead them to the playoffs. Instead, the team has spiraled into a chaotic campaign defined by dysfunction, instability, and disappointing results. Rodgers’ on-field struggles have been the brunt of the criticism, but the real story lies deeper within an environment that seems incapable of fostering success, let alone stability.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Rodgers has resisted undergoing medical scans to assess the severity of his injuries this season, fearing that doing so could lead to being benched. The revelation paints a damning picture of a quarterback forced to prioritize his job security over his health in a system that seems to reward fear and uncertainty over trust and leadership.

Rodgers, who turns 41 in December, has been playing through significant injuries, including knee swelling, an ankle sprain, and a hamstring issue suffered in a Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos. Despite visible physical limitations, he has reportedly refused further testing, choosing to play through pain rather than risk being sidelined. For a player of Rodgers’ pedigree to feel this level of insecurity speaks volumes about the instability that defines the Jets’ organization.

The dysfunction goes beyond Rodgers’ predicament. The Jets’ environment has been chaotic, with seismic leadership changes destabilizing the franchise. Head coach Robert Saleh was fired five games into the season, and general manager Joe Douglas was dismissed following Week 11. These moves, made in the name of sparking change, have deepened the fractures within a team that still has six games left. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has inherited a roster already battered by injuries and uncertainty, with no clear sense of direction or cohesion.

It’s impossible to build a winning football team in this kind of environment. A revolving door of coaches and management creates a culture of instability, where players and staff are left to navigate shifting expectations and unclear priorities. For Rodgers, the lack of leadership at the top has compounded his struggles. Owner Woody Johnson’s frustration with the team’s performance has reportedly led him to question Rodgers’ role, even considering benching him earlier in the season.

Rodgers’ subpar play has undoubtedly hurt the Jets, but blaming him for the team’s failures misses the bigger picture. A quarterback avoiding injury testing for fear of being benched is a symptom of a deeper organizational problem. The Jets’ inability to establish stability at any level—whether in leadership, player development, or culture—has left the team adrift.

Winning football will remain out of reach until the Jets prioritize long-term planning and accountability over impulsive decisions and reactive measures. Rodgers may be struggling, but the absolute failure lies in an organization that has fostered chaos rather than a foundation for success.