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One NFL All-Pro player left off the NFL Top 100 player list says that if New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made the cut, then he should as well. That was the perspective of Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who firmly believes he is among the best players in the NFL.
Rodgers was No. 92 on the NFL Network’s list of the top players heading into the 2024 season. The Jets quarterback played just four snaps before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury and dropped 41 spots from the year before.
Johnson’s point wasn’t about disparaging Rodgers, but rather that the Bers defensive back believes he should be on the list. Last year, Johnson was a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection. It was the first time in his career that he received both honors.
This season will be his fifth year in the NFL.
“It’s bulls–t, there is no way. I don’t know how you make Pro Bowl, All-Pro and not be a top 100 guy. I could be (No.) 101 I guess,” Johnson told reporters over the weekend.
“Aaron Rodgers didn’t even play in the season and he was voted, so. Hey, everybody make mistakes it ain’t just the media that do it. The players clearly, if they voted for this, they made some f–king mistakes but it is what it is. End of the day, I know the truth and I’ve got some more for them.”
Now, it is clear from the quote that Johnson wasn’t saying that Rodgers shouldn’t be on the list. Just that if Rodgers is there, then Johnson feels he should also be on the list.
Johnson was then asked if the exclusion from the list was something that fueled him.
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson on being left off the NFL Top 100 list:
“It’s bullshit.. Aaron Rodgers didn’t even play last year and he made the list.” pic.twitter.com/V53PIborgb
— Dave (@dave_bfr) August 4, 2024
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He answered openly, and then took another subtle dig at the inclusion of long-term injured players on the list (without naming Rodgers).
“100 percent, it’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful. Yea, no, it is disrespectful. I know I go out there and line up and I know receivers go out there and can’t that say I’m not one of the best players they play against,” Johnson said.
“Whatever it is, it happened. Doing it wouldn’t have just moved me to where I feel like I’m complacent or anything but just to see it, ain’t no way 100 guys are better, ain’t no way especially guys who who didn’t play who were hurt (made it), ain’t no way.”
New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner was ranked No. 38 on the list.