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ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper uncorked a scorching hot take about NFL defenses on Get Up this week as he said that the NFL should bar defenses from running two high safety looks in order to allow for more explosive plays.
Kiper Jr’s comments were widely blasted across NFL circles, including by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who took a shot at Kiper while speaking to the media after the Jets’ 24-3 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football.
“The entire focus of all three defenses we’ve played have been taking Garrett [Wilson] away,” Rodgers said. “Mel Kiper’s worst nightmare. A lot of Cover-2. And when there’s times we get one-high, we try to go to him, but a lot of two-high all three games,” Rodgers explained.
“They’re shading to him, even with stud corners. [Charvarius] Ward in Week 1, [L’Jarius] Sneed in Week 2 and [Christian] Gonzales in Week 3 now. Not a lot of singles. It’s a tribute to Garrett and his talent.”
Aaron Rodgers on his connection with Garrett Wilson:
"The entire focus of all three defenses we've played have been taking Garrett away. It's been Mel Kiper's worst nightmare. Been a lot of cover 2" 😭 pic.twitter.com/kTFnwE1cuq
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 20, 2024
In the Thursday Night Football win over the Patriots, which improved the Jets’ record to 2-1, the 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP completed 27 of 35 passes yards for 281 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball three times for 18 yards. After the win, Rodgers said that he felt like his old self.
“This was kind of the first step in playing like I know I’m capable of playing,” Rodgers told reporters. “I felt like I was myself from five years ago.”
If Rodgers continues to play at this level and leads the Jets to a postseason berth, he’ll be a shoo-in to win the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.