NEW YORK JETS quarterback Aaron Rodgerswas in his car, navigating postgame traffic outside MetLife Stadium, when his cell phone rang. It was 12:15 a.m. ET on Tuesday, about an hour after an exasperating 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. His caller ID said it was Davante Adams. Rodgers didn’t answer.
Rodgers and Adams connected 615 times over eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, becoming one of the most prolific quarterback-wide receiver tandems in NFL history, but Rodgers didn’t want to hook up on this particular occasion.
He was in a foul mood and his 40-year-old body was aching after the Jets’ third straight loss, culminating a tumultuous week. Coach Robert Saleh had been fired, and the popular narrative was that Rodgers had nudged him out. He wanted to stew in solitude — until Adams called again, closer to 1 a.m. This time, Rodgers picked up.
