In a recent interview on "The Pat McAfee Show," New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed his frustration with the organization over leaked reports that painted his teammate, Zach Wilson, in a negative light. Rodgers criticized the "chicken s---" leaks to the media and called for an end to such actions within the team.

The controversy stemmed from a report by The Athletic, which quoted unidentified sources claiming that Wilson, who was recently benched, is reluctant to play due to concerns about potential injuries. The Jets, currently on a five-game losing streak and sporting a 4-8 record, are once again making a quarterback change this week, with head coach Robert Saleh set to announce his decision on Wednesday.

Rodgers firmly defended Wilson, stating that it was unacceptable to "assassinate someone's character" as the report had attempted to do. He emphasized that such behavior had no place in a winning organization, and urged the Jets to address the issue internally.

The star quarterback, who is fully engaged with the team as he continues to recover from surgery on his Achilles, expressed his disappointment that someone affiliated with the organization would leak damaging information about Wilson. He described it as a betrayal and stressed that it went against the principles of a winning culture.

Regarding Wilson's desire to play, Saleh stated that the young quarterback had visited his office on Monday and expressed his intention to start in the upcoming game against the Houston Texans. Saleh claimed that he had no issues with Wilson's desire to play, but decided to delay his final decision until Wednesday.

Insiders revealed that Wilson may have sought advice from a teammate about the risk-reward aspect of playing a game with no playoff implications, leading to concerns being leaked to the media. Coach Saleh likened the situation to college players weighing the pros and cons of participating in bowl games to safeguard their NFL draft prospects. Considering Wilson's potential departure from the team in 2024, it might explain his reservations about risking injury.

Rodgers hoped that Wilson would have the opportunity to address the team directly to clarify the situation. He praised the young quarterback's character and acknowledged the challenges he has faced in his career thus far. However, Rodgers refuted the claim made by The Athletic that he had spoken to Wilson on Monday, clarifying that they speak daily but did not address the specific issue.

The leaked information has prompted Rodgers to call for more accountability and trust within the team. He reiterated that certain conversations should remain confidential and expressed disappointment at the frequency of leaks this season. The four-time MVP asserted that the team needs to weed out this behavior by any means necessary.

Reflecting on the progress made in terms of team culture, Rodgers emphasized their need to fine-tune and tighten certain aspects to overcome their recent struggles. He expressed his belief in the team's leadership and their ability to respond to adversity while acknowledging the influence of fans and pundits.

As Rodgers continues his rehabilitation, there is still a possibility of him returning to the field this season. He remains optimistic about the team's future and expressed his eagerness to take back the reins in due course.

In response to Rodgers' comments, the New York Jets organization has yet to release an official statement regarding the leaks and the situation surrounding Zach Wilson.