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Former NFL quarterback turned Prime Video analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick questioned New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' leadership in a post shared on his X account Tuesday (October 15).
Fitzpatrick, who made 27 starts in 30 games for the Jets during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, responded to Rodgers' comments claiming wide receiver Mike Williams ran the wrong route on New York's final offensive play of its Monday Night Football loss to the Buffalo Bills, which resulted in an interception.
"This response is the biggest thing I don’t understand about Aaron….can be super charismatic, his swagger gives teammates the ultimate confidence BUT why can’t he shoulder ALL the blame in the media and then get behind closed doors with Mike Williams or the whole offense or the whole team or anyone else that isn’t doing their job and tell them he needs more out of them. The need to set the record straight at the expense of someone lesser than just hurts me," Fitzpatrick wrote on his X account along with a clip from the interview.
Rodgers, 40, appeared to blame Williams for the interception even prior to his weekly appearance on McAfee's show.
“There’s two verticals, Allen [Lazard]’s down the seam, and Mike’s down the red line,” Rodgers told reporters after the game via the New York Post. “So, I’m throwing a no look to the red line. When I peak my eyes back there Mike’s running an ‘in-breaker’ … it’s gotta be down the red line.”
Former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiasion also criticized Rodgers for appearing to blame Williams, claiming that "Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or anybody else" wouldn't have taken similar action. New York, who acquired Rodgers' former teammate Davante Adams in a blockbuster trade hours after its Monday Night Football loss, is currently 2-4 heading into its Week 7 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.