Giants legend rips Jets for Aaron Rodgers ‘shortcut’
New York Giants legend, CBS Sports NFL analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist Tiki Barber ripped the New York Jets for going all-in on acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers this past spring.
“‘The road to success would be a lot more crowded if people didn’t get off looking for shortcuts,'” Barber said during Monday’s edition of the WFAN “Evan and Tiki” program, according to Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “In real-time, I couldn’t have said it was a shortcut, but going to get Aaron Rodgers was a shortcut. It was going around the grind and the development, the drafting acumen, the building of an offensive line and skill position players around it. It was a shortcut around what it takes to put an actual winner on the football field.”
Rodgers, who turned 40 years old this past Saturday, dealt with multiple calf issues ahead of the campaign and then suffered a torn Achilles four snaps into his regular-season Jets tenure on Sept. 11. New York’s decision to go with third-year signal-caller Zach Wilson as Rodgers’ replacement backfired in a big way, as head coach Robert Saleh benched Wilson during the club’s Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 19.
Wilson may or may not be “reluctant to step back into the starting role” for a team that, per StatMuse, has surrendered the third-most sacks (51) in the league this season. The 4-8 Jets will look to end a five-game losing streak when they host the 7-5 Houston Texans this coming Sunday.
“[Rodgers] was inevitably going to get hurt, because their offensive line was so bad,” Barber added about the Jets. “It’s proven to be so all season long.”
Barber went on to call the situation a “disaster.”
As of early Monday evening, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Jets no chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Rodgers accepted a pay cut this past summer to feature for the Jets through next season, so logic suggests he shouldn’t risk his long-term health by forcing his way back into the lineup before Week 18 to play behind an offensive line that’s routinely betrayed quarterbacks this fall.
Giants Make Matt Barkley Decision Ahead of Tyrod Taylor’s Return
Matt Barkley has been waived by the New York Giants, but the quarterback might still have a future with the team. Especially if primary backup Tyrod Taylor is ready to feature in some capacity against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14, after returning from injured reserve on Monday, December 4.
Barkley and fellow passer Jacob Eason were both let go on Monday, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, who also confirmed Barkley will “be re-signed to practice squad as insurance.”
Barkley played for head coach Brian Daboll for three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, but his status had to be changed after Taylor’s comeback from a rib injury.
The 34-year-old was at practice on Monday, per the Giants.
Taylor’s potential comeback could spark a QB controversy given how well undrafted free agent Tommy DeVito has performed. DeVito’s surprising emergence was another reason Barkley didn’t get onto the field for the Giants, despite his knowledge of the Daboll playbook.
Matt Barkley’s Giants Stint Hasn’t Gone as Planned
Barkley last got onto the field for a game in the NFL on Daboll’s watch back in 2020. He was limited to mop-up duty while starting signal-caller Josh Allen was on the sidelines, but Barkley will be disappointed not to have gotten more opportunities with the Giants.
After all, he joined Big Blue on Tuesday, October 31, when both Taylor and QB1 Daniel Jones were on the shelf. Barkley’s main competition was DeVito, while former Indianapolis Colts’ passer Eason soon joined them both on the practice squad.
Like Barkley, Eason was also a former fourth-round draft pick. They both had a better pedigree than one-time Illinois and Syracuse quarterback DeVito, but the latter still proved to be Daboll’s choice.
It’s proved to be the right choice, with DeVito leading the Giants to back-to-back wins over the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots. Those victories make DeVito look like a lock to start against the Pack, but Taylor’s also put a notch in the win column for the Giants this season.
Tyrod Taylor’s Proved He Can Win With Giants
Taylor threw two touchdown passes when the Giants bested the Commanders 14-7 in Week 7. He’d also caught the eye during a tough 14-9 loss to the Bills a week earlier.
Those performances had some, including Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, believing the Giants are more effective with Taylor in the lineup. Farrar made the comparison with Jones and noted how Taylor performed better on vertical throws of “20+ air yards.”
Taylor showed off his arm talent with this well-placed, lofted throw against the Bills, highlighted by Bobby Skinner of Talkin’ Giants.
Taylor’s overall numbers endorsed Farrar’s argument. The journeyman backup averaged 7.7 intended air yards per attempt, according to Pro Football Reference, compared with DeVito’s tally of 7.2.
Pushing the ball vertically has been a challenge for the Giants during Daboll’s tenure. Returning Taylor to the lineup is the obvious way to solve the problem.
DeVito’s popular and he’s winning, but a more experienced presence could help the Giants continue their recent mini revival. The value of experience extends to the Giants brining 33-year-old Barkley back, ensuring Daboll keeps the QB room stocked with players who know his scheme well.
