When Randall Cobb inked his deal with the New York Jets, he likely didn’t foresee that his longtime friend and quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, would only play four snaps. Neither did anyone else. Yet, this unexpected turn left Cobb navigating a season with Zach Wilson, one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks in recent NFL memory.
During his appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Bussin’ with the Boys,” Cobb discussed his tenure with the Jets and provided insights into the Zach Wilson saga now that he’s with the Denver Broncos. Host Will Compton queried Cobb about whether the media frenzy around Wilson was as chaotic as it appeared.
Cobb was quick to dismiss the notion of excessive drama. “I think in the media, it was more dramatic than it actually was,” he said. “They had told him they were gonna trade him in the offseason, then they benched him, then they wanted him to play again. And then they tried to blame him for not wanting to play, but you just told him that you were gonna trade him. It was a lot of politics, a lot of stuff in the media, it was a lot of like, ‘Come on, man, like what are we doing here?’ A lot of meeting with the media, feeding them stuff.”
Cobb’s remarks are notable, given his stature as a seasoned NFL veteran. His criticism hints at the Jets possibly feeding narratives to the media, a charge not unfamiliar to the organization. The Athletic previously reported head coach Robert Saleh’s efforts to curb leaks, even threatening to confiscate coaches’ phones to prevent such issues.
Aaron Rodgers, during his stint, also lambasted the pervasive media distractions at One Jets Drive, labeling it as “bulls**t that has nothing to do with winning.” Despite his remarks ironically portraying him as the distraction, they underscored the Jets’ recurring problem with media leaks.
Cobb’s comments seemingly allude to reporting by Dianna Russini of The Athletic, which had stirred the ire of Jets fans and Rodgers alike. Russini reported that Wilson was hesitant to reenter the starting lineup, a claim that sparked significant controversy. Although Cobb didn’t name Russini directly, the context of his remarks points towards the media turmoil surrounding Wilson’s situation.
The portrayal of the Jets’ handling of Wilson, as described by Cobb, paints a grim picture of internal mismanagement and blame-shifting. It suggests that the organization used the media as a tool to deflect responsibility onto Wilson, a tactic that ultimately backfired and highlighted their dysfunction.
Cobb’s season with the Jets provided him with a firsthand view of these issues. While his revelations may not be groundbreaking, they offer a candid critique of the team’s media strategies. The Jets’ struggles with internal leaks and media manipulation, particularly in their dealings with Wilson, created an incessant media circus. Cobb’s willingness to address these tactics shines a light on the internal challenges the Jets faced, adding another layer to the complex narrative of their recent seasons.
