It is a good thing no one expects Hall of Fame busts to be true representations of the people they’re depicting. Otherwise, Canton would have to build an entire new wing to accommodate the size of Aaron Rodgers’ head someday.
Any last doubt Rodgers is all about Rodgers and no one else was put to rest Tuesday, when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed he is considering the New York Jets quarterback to be his running mate. In fact, Kennedy told the New York Times, he and Rodgers have been speaking “pretty continuously” for the past month.
I’m sure the conversations were fascinating. Does Rodgers think his ability to pick up the blitz makes him qualified to advise Kennedy on military strategy? Does he believe his success in getting washed-up teammates sweetheart deals with the Jets makes him an expert negotiator who can get a budget through Congress? Does he think experimenting with magic mushrooms has prepared him to oversee the Food and Drug Administration?
Or, let me guess, he and Kennedy think right-wing Christians will hear about Rodgers’ penchant for throwing Hail Marys and see him as one of their own.
Give me a break.
Believing an NFL quarterback who styles himself as one of the great thinkers of his generation while spinning the greatest hits of conspiracy theories — COVID vaccine denier? Jeffrey Epstein? 9/11 truther? Check, check and check again — is a suitable VP ought to tell everyone how wholly unserious Kennedy’s campaign actually is. Vice President Rodgers would make Tommy Tuberville look like an esteemed statesman rather than the fool he’s proven himself time and again to be.
But the larger revelation is how little Rodgers cares about the Jets. Or anyone, really, besides himself.
When somebody figures out what being on a presidential ticket has to do with winning, please let me know. Maybe tell Woody Johnson and Robert Saleh, too.
Let’s pretend, just for funsies, that this isn’t a charade designed to remind people RFK is still in the race and bump Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins out of the headlines. That Kennedy and Rodgers are serious about this. How exactly would this work?
The NFL is a full-time job and then some, as is being part of a presidential campaign. Trying to do both, especially when the height of the campaign overlaps with the NFL season, would mean Rodgers would be short-changing the Jets and RFK, his mind on both and his full focus on neither. Is he not going to practice or is he not going to campaign? Is he going to miss this game or skip this appearance?
The Jets practice facility and MetLife Stadium would be crawling with the extra security required for Rodgers, to say nothing of the throng of reporters that travels with every campaign. Those folks aren’t fanbois like Pat McAfee, either, which means they’d actually be fact-checking Rodgers on his nonsense. And since Rodgers isn’t nearly as smart as he thinks he is, that would mean a Distraction of the Day from now until Nov. 5, with the Jets front office, Saleh and his teammates caught up in the crossfire.
The circus that surrounded the “miracle comeback” from a torn Achilles will seem quaint by comparison.
Unless … Rodgers plans to sit out the season if Kennedy taps him as his running mate. Which would leave the Jets in ruins.
Again.
Rodgers knows full well the Jets have built their entire team with the four-time MVP in mind, accommodating his every whim even when it isn’t necessarily the best thing for the team. Nathaniel Hackett, Allen Lazard, Tim Boyle — shall I continue? Rodgers also knows what happens if he’s not available, having watched that dumpster fire after he got hurt four plays into the season opener last year.
It doesn’t go unnoticed that this news broke after the best free-agent QBs were off the market. Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) went to new teams and Baker Mayfield got a new deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jets? They got Tyrod Taylor.
If Rodgers isn’t going to play, the Jets can kiss yet another season goodbye and Saleh can start updating his resume. Even if he does, being willing to entertain the cockamamie idea of being RFK’s VP has to make the Jets wonder about his level of commitment.
Rodgers isn’t VP material. That he’s allowing himself to be included in this conversation confirms he’s not a team player, either. Rodgers is all about Aaron Rodgers.
How’s that for a campaign slogan?
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.