Whether it is because of the hype surrounding a polarizing figure like Aaron Rodgers or the starvation of Jets fans to finally end a playoff drought that is longer than any other team in the four major sports or simply the flashes they showed last year, the New York Jets are sporting a very crowded bandwagon going into this season.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is not on board.

The Jets finished last season 7-9 losing six in a row and seven of their last eight games. They finished in last place in the AFC East and missed the playoffs for the 12^th consecutive year. Things did not look good for the Jets late in 2022 but that isn’t the whole story.

Looking at the way the season ended for the Jets, they were able to score a total of 66 points in their final 6 games. They didn’t score an offensive touchdown in six of their nine losses. They didn’t score a touchdown in their final three games.

It doesn’t matter how good your defense is, you are not going to win many games with an offense that anemic. And all of that ineptitude is a result of injuries and quarterback play. 

Bill Barnwell doesn’t see it that way. He thinks the Jets on paper of last year indicate what this team will be in the future.

Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Bill Barnwell made a bold prediction when predicting the outcome of the AFC East.

I am going bills, number one, dolphins two, I would go patriots three. And I would put the Jets that's even with Aaron Rodgers in last place. I don't see why this is a crazy opinion. They were in last place last year. Like this is that insane of a of a thought. And I will point this out as well. They were seven and 10. Last year, when they had to play the opposing team starting quarterback or their primary quarterback, they were two and eight. When they were playing the backup, they were five and two. This is not a team that was as close to winning a Super Bowl as I think they have put out there. Now there'll be better with Aaron Rodgers but I think they're just not as good of a team as we're sort of suggesting – ESPN Writer Bill Barnwell on “Get Up”

It is worth noting, Barnwell didn’t use any qualifiers in his prediction. He didn’t say it is because he believed Rodgers would get hurt or his play would fall off a cliff. He just believes the Jets, as currently constructed, with Aaron Rodgers at QB, would finish last in the AFC East.

Get. The. Hell. Out. Of. Here.

Barnwell sounds like a guy who zigs simply because others zag. Make enough bold predictions and champion the one you got right so nobody will remember all the other ones.

One example should make fans of the Chicago Bears furious. Barnwell has them with the 13^th best offseason according to his rankings. Most, if not all off season rankings have the Bears in the top 5 at least. Not Barnwell.

Barnwell picks a stat that helps make his point and ignores everything else. ‘Jets were 2-8 when facing backup QBs’. Great. What about the Jets QB play? Joe Flacco? Chris Streveler? ZACH WILSON? What about the fact that the Jets were literally signing guys early in the week to start at tackle on game day?

You want to say all teams deal with injuries and it’s no excuse? Fine. What about the fact that the Jets are replacing some of the worst QB play with some of the best?

It seems like Barnwell doesn’t think a guy like future first ballot Hall of Famer, 1 year removed from back-to-back MVP’s, Super Bowl Champion, 8-time pro bowler, 4-time MVP, Super Bowl MVP and 4-time all pro Aaron Rodgers makes a difference to a team that scored no touchdowns in six games last year.

At least former Patriot Tedy Bruschi was on hand to defend the Jets.

I don't think they're going to be last. I think this defense is just too good. To look at him last like that, that's just something I don't see. Aaron Rodgers is it's amazing what the quarterback can do to both sides or all three sides of the ball and I think the Jets will be very good this year. – ESPN NFL Analyst Tedy Bruschi

Thank you Tedy for being a voice of reason. Aaron Rodgers changes this team for the better and it is crazy to believe otherwise at this point. This top five defense can play a little more loosely because their offense will be able to put up more that 11 points a game.

Featured Image via John Jones-USA TODAY Sports