Aaron Rodgers is prepared.
Simply days earlier than his twentieth NFL season and practically one yr faraway from a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Jets quarterback spoke excitedly Thursday about opening the season Monday night time in opposition to the 49ers.
“I’ve quite a lot of pleasure in my efficiency,” Rodgers mentioned. “Once I take the sphere, I count on greatness as a result of I’ve carried out it earlier than and that’s sort of customary to carry myself to.”
That’s what the Jets are relying on. The group has been ready to see Rodgers’ greatness for some time now. The Jets acquired Rodgers in a commerce with the Packers again in April 2023. The expectations have been excessive going into final season after which crashed to the bottom when Rodgers’ left Achilles snapped on the fourth play of the season opener in opposition to the Payments.
Rodgers missed the whole 2023 season regardless of an tried December comeback. Now, the Jets are hoping to lastly see what the four-time MVP can do for his or her staff. Rodgers joked Thursday that he could really feel somewhat pleasure as soon as the fifth snap of Monday’s sport comes.
“I imply, there is likely to be somewhat smirk after the fourth [snap],” Rodgers mentioned. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
The Jets enter this season with excessive hopes. They imagine they’re a Tremendous Bowl contender and that’s largely due to Rodgers’ presence. The 40-year-old has seemed excellent in coaching camp. However now he has to face a dwell protection. The 49ers are the defending NFC champions and are anticipated to once more be top-of-the-line groups in soccer.
Rodgers mentioned he realized a lesson from former Packers coach Mike McCarthy in regards to the problem of coping with success.
“I believe what he meant was, he simply can’t journey the highs too excessive after which the entire world’s crashing down after a troublesome sport,” Rodgers mentioned. “No matter what occurs on Monday, we win the headline’s going to be, you recognize, we’re going to Tremendous Bowl; we lose, usual Jets. So I believe we have to get away from a few of these exterior themes and belief this system.”
Rodgers delivered an analogous message on the finish of final yr after the Jets went 7-10 with backups Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian at quarterback. Rodgers advised the Jets to “flush the B.S.” however then made offseason headlines when he was reportedly a vice presidential candidate after which skipped the staff’s necessary mini-camp to make a journey to Egypt.
These offseason storylines are up to now now and Rodgers’ teammates and coaches have carried out nothing however heap reward on him this summer time.
“He’s an unbelievable teammate,” Jets coach Robert Saleh mentioned. “The fellows within the locker room love him. They appear as much as him. They search recommendation from him. I observed it the opposite day. I shot him a textual content. I believe it’s fascinating the best way he interacts with the D line. Simply the best way he interacts with everyone. He’s the final word teammate. I believe his management has been invaluable to the group.”
Saleh has spoken about not simply how effectively Rodgers has thrown the ball this summer time, but additionally his motion expertise.
“I believe he’s in a terrific place, not simply mentally however bodily. He appears superior,” Saleh mentioned. “He’s not a 40-year-old quarterback. He’s going to be simply tremendous.”
Rodgers has lengthy thrived on proving his critics incorrect. Now, he has an opportunity to do one thing unprecedented and return from an Achilles tear to play quarterback at 40 years previous.
“I’ve all the time sort of performed with one thing on my shoulder,” Rodgers mentioned. “You bought to, you recognize, manufacture issues on occasion. However yeah, I imply, it sort of goes again to the show it. Who would I must show it to? Simply myself at this level.”
Rodgers mentioned “after all” when requested if the Tremendous Bowl is the aim this season after which despatched one other message to his teammates about staying regular.
“We will’t journey these waves of emotion or frustration or exterior narratives or any of these items,” he mentioned. “We bought to maintain this factor very tight. You already know, we will’t have any leaks or individuals leaping ship. We’ve bought to appreciate it’s going to be a protracted season.”
