Jets' official elimination from postseason should mean no Aaron Rodgers return

MIAMI GARDENS — After watching this 30-0 South Florida train wreck from the sidelines in headphones and green jacket, Aaron Rodgers can’t possibly be motivated to take a snap behind the New York Jets’ horrific offensive line, can he? Especially now that the Jets have mathematically been put out of their misery.

On the day the cursed Jets finally got officially eliminated from the playoffs, running their postseason dry streak to an NFL-leading 13 years, quarterback Zach Wilson couldn’t make it to the second half.

Battered and sacked across the first two quarters, Wilson, the reigning AFC Offensive player of the Week, walked off to the locker room late in the first half, dizzy and done for the sunny day.

First it was called dehydration, later amended to a head injury and then updated to a concussion.

Thus, the “Trevor Siemian Era’’ began with 55 seconds left before halftime with the Jets trailing 24-0.

Does the second coming of the Aaron Rodgers Era begin on Christmas Eve as rumored?

Coach Robert Saleh wouldn’t give any updates on Rodgers, saying there's "nothing to say until he's cleared.'' Rodgers dressed in silence in the post-game locker room and left in dark sunglasses amid a dark 2023.

Rodgers was reported to have “amped up” his workouts this past week. One report stated he could be activated for next Sunday's game, though it might be just to dress in a uniform and serve as third string.

“He looks normal to me, but it’s unbelievable,’’ Saleh said the other day. .

Dalvin Cook not looking back at signing with Jets instead of Dolphins

A few lockers away from Rodgers, Jets running back Dalvin Cook, who nearly signed with the Dolphins during training camp, dressed with little fanfare. The former Florida State back has been mostly an afterthought, carrying just once for 4 yards Sunday as the Dolphins posted their first shutout since shutting out another sad sack Jets squad in 2020.

“Nothing to pinpoint,’’ Cook told The Palm Beach Post. “We got our asses whipped.’’

Asked by The Post if he regretted not signing with Miami, Cook said, “I ain’t going to go there with you. I ain’t going to go there.’’

But then Cook added of his season in New York/New Jersey after starring for the Vikings in 2022, “Toughest year ever in my life. I got the ball (last year). But we’re going to persevere. We don’t run from challenges.’’

With 7:51 left in the second quarter, the Jets had notched minus-1 net yards – getting that total up to 4 by halftime. The second half was all garbage time with Siemian throwing a ghastly interception that two Dolphins had a chance at but wound up in safety Brandon Jones’ arms in the final minutes.

“They obviously won the battle up front,’’ Saleh said and repeated the sentiment three other times.

Asked if this was an embarrassing afternoon, a clipped Saleh added, “When you get beat up front, yeah, it is (embarrassing) we got to be better up front. It’s disappointing from the first drive of the year to now. It’s been a constant battle.’’

The first drive of the season was Rodgers’ tearing his Achilles after getting sacked, ending Super Bowl dreams.

This is the city where the Jets, now 5-9, won their only Super Bowl in 1969 behind Palm Beach Gardens resident Joe Namath. The Super Bowl drought officially goes on.

“It’s definitely frustrating,’ rookie first-round pick, cornerback Sauce Gardner said. “This was the season we wanted to be in the playoffs.’’

Among the 65,000 fans, there wasn’t the usual amount of Jets’ green – understandably. The Jets’ first two drives Sunday were emblematic of another jinxed season.

Zach Wilson coughs up football on first possession

The first one had Wilson getting blindsided – a first-and-10 at the 24 and coughed up the ball. Dolphins stars Christian Wilkins and Bradley Chubb drilled Wilson at the 7 and Zach Sieler recovered and dove to the Jets’ 1. “Gang Green’’ hasn’t scored a touchdown on their first drive all season.

“Miscommunication,’’ offensive lineman Mekhi Bechton said.

The second possession went as badly and sadly with Saleh attempting a fake punt on 4th-and-five at the Jets’ 42. The ball was snapped to Ashtyn Davis and he was thrown for a one-yard loss.

The Jets had snapped a five-game losing streak last Sunday’ before this disintegration against a Dolphins squad minus MVP candidate Tyreek Hill, who looked limber, racing past reporters in the tunnel afterward. Hill got a Sunday afternoon of rest.

“I expected him to play,’’ Gardner said of Hill.

More: Dolphins prove major point in stomping of Jets, winning without Tyreek Hill | Schad

By the second quarter, the Dolphins were dancing on the Jets’ graves – franchises heading in opposite direction. Chubb sacked Wilson, then did a crawl dance.

The defense didn’t stand up. In fact, cornerback DJ Reed fell down trying to cover Jayden Waddle on his 60-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter that made it 17-0.

“Just frustrated, man,’’ Reed said. “Especially the way I played. It’s not the outcome I expected - getting goose-egged and beaten by 30.’’

If it’s not Rodgers and Wilson still is in protocol, Sieman could be back for the Commanders on Christmas Eve. Not much of a holiday gift for the maligned Jets’ fans.

“I’m ready,’’ Siemian said. “Whatever they need me to do, I'm ready. Yeah, I'm ready to go.’’

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins eliminate Jets from making playoffs so Aaron Rodgers's return doubtful