NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers, Woody Johnson Tension 'Overblown' amid Jets Benching Buzz

Headlines continue to circulate around the 3-8 New York Jets, but the relationship between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and team owner Woody Johnson reportedly isn't as much of a concern as it may seem.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Sunday the "narrative of a fractured relationship" between the two is "overblown." What's more, they even went to dinner together in New York City this month.

"There has been ongoing communication between them, and both agree the season has been deeply disappointing—with Aaron playing through injuries and the team underperforming," Schultz wrote.

This comes after The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt and Diana Russini reported Tuesday that Johnson suggested benching Rodgers for Tyrod Taylor following the team's Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos.

According to Rosenblatt and Russini, Johnson felt "Rodgers' performance was holding the team back."

The report continued, explaining that former general manager Joe Douglas and the coaching staff were "stunned" by such a suggestion and eventually talked Johnson out of the potential move. Their belief was benching the future Hall of Famer "would not sit well with the locker room" and "would embarrass Rodgers."

While Rodgers still remains the starting quarterback, there have been plenty of changes for the AFC East team.

New York fired head coach Robert Saleh and Douglas this season while also trading for star wide receiver Davante Adams and trading away wide receiver Mike Williams. The hope was surely that Rodgers and Adams could rediscover some of their magic from their time together with the Green Bay Packers.

Instead, the Jets are 1-4 in games Adams has played this season.

It wasn't supposed to be this way for a franchise that entered the season with elevated expectations in the middle of a win-now window. After all, Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in league history with an offense that included Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall even before trading for Adams.

The defense was also third in the league in yards allowed per game last season, and it seemed like New York had enough pieces on both sides of the ball to compete for a playoff spot.

It has been quite the contrary, as the Jets enter their Week 12 bye week with a 3-8 record after dropping seven of their last eight games following a promising 2-1 start. They are headed to a 14th straight season without making the playoffs, and there are plenty of questions about the future.

Russini reported Saturday there are some around the league who wouldn't be surprised if the Jets released Rodgers before the end of the 2024 campaign. They could also place him on injured reserve or even bench him down the stretch of what has turned into a lost season.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday "there are now questions about whether Rodgers will be welcomed back to the team next season." He also added that "sources with knowledge of Johnson's thinking say Rodgers must play far better down the stretch for the opportunity to return in 2025."

Even with questions lingering, Schultz's report indicated there is still communication between team owner and quarterback as attention turns toward the future.