AFC Notes: Aaron Rodgers, Jeff Ulbrich, Quinnen Wiliams, Garrett Wilson, Jets

Jets

• Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said QB Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a knee injury but he expects him to play this week. (Brian Costello)
• Rodgers said he’s dealing with an MCL issue but he will play in Week 17. (Costello)
• He was asked what it would mean if the team wants him back for 2025: “It’d mean that they see me as an important part of helping the culture, the changeover, whatever they do at head coach and helping the next wave of New York Jets. That’d be special to hear that, but if they don’t, again, no offense at all will be taken.” (Rich Cimini)
• Rodgers doesn’t expect a conversation about his future with the team right after the season concludes: “So many uncertainties. There’s a GM that has to get hired, I would assume first, and then he’s going to be a part of hiring the head coach. And then so I have to be in the plans of multiple people, starting with the ownership and then the GM and then the head coach. So that’s why to me, that would not be a conversation I’m expecting anytime soon until those things are in place.” (Cimini)
• He was then asked if he thinks owner Woody Johnson wants him back and said they have had no conversations about his future: “You should ask Woody.” (Cimini)

Jets

After matching up with former OC Mike LaFleur on the Rams in Week 16, Jets WR Garrett Wilson admitted he didn’t appreciate LaFleur’s offense or their time together enough.

“My rookie year, looking back on it, it was a special time and I might’ve taken it for granted,” Wilson said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “I love him. To see how he is helping out that offense and watching them today with their plan to run the ball and the way they executed, I’m happy for him. I hope it continues to take place throughout the playoffs because I really do appreciate him.”

• Jets WR Garrett Wilson was recently noncommittal about his future in New York. Aaron Rodgers said he’s spoken to Wilson about some of his frustration: “Yeah, I have. I’ve talked to him throughout the season about some of it, yeah.” (Rich Cimini)
• Rodgers elaborated he hasn’t spoken to Wilson about his situation over the last couple of weeks, but reiterated they’ve talked about the receiver’s frustration: “No, not this week. No, not in the last couple of weeks, but it’s not the first time. So there’s been conversations about it.”
• Rodgers understands Wilson wants the ball more often: “Receivers want the ball. I understand that.”

Jets

Jets’ interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said they must find ways to get WR Garrett Wilson the ball more often. 

“At the end of the day, we have to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often,” Ulbrich said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “He’s one of the best players on our team — if not one of the best players in this league, especially at his position. The progression, for a lot of different reasons from a coverage standpoint, took [Rodgers] off Garrett. But, at the same time, we have to find ways to get him the ball, for sure.”

Ulbrich understands Wilson’s frustration and knows the impact he can have on their offense. 

“If you weren’t frustrated, I think that would bother me to an extent,” Ulbrich said. “I think he’s just one of those ultimate competitors that wants the ball. Not for selfish reasons — just from the standpoint he knows he can help our team win if he does have the ball in his hands.”

Jets DT Quinnen Williams missed Week 16 due to a hamstring injury. Ulbrich said the defensive tackle has a “chance” to play in their upcoming game against the Bills. 

“There’s a chance,” Ulbrich said. “One of those rare guys that, one, his body heals faster than most, and, two, he’s got this internal drive to go out there and play for his teammates.”