Aaron Rodgers embraces strain of Jets’ do-or-die season

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers is again because the beginning quarterback of the New York Jets — wholesome, assured and prepared for a possible do-or-die season for himself and the complete group.

“If I do not do what I do know I am able to doing, we’re all in all probability going to be out of right here,” Rodgers mentioned Tuesday after his second OTA observe — the primary open to the media. “I like that sort of strain, although.”

The four-time MVP amplified the narrative surrounding the Jets, that the fates of coach Robert Saleh and basic supervisor Joe Douglas doubtless hinge on the 2024 season. The Jets are 18-33 underneath the management of Saleh and Douglas and are hoping Rodgers and a win-now roster can finish the NFL’s longest lively playoff drought — 13 years.

Rodgers, 40, put himself on the new seat as properly.

“You won’t say it, however as you grow old within the league, if you happen to do not carry out, they are going to do away with you or convey within the subsequent man to take over,” he mentioned. “I imply, it occurred in Inexperienced Bay, and I am a number of years older than I used to be again then.

“I anticipate to play at a excessive stage. I anticipate us to be productive and aggressive and all that stuff to deal with itself.”

For the primary time in eight months, Rodgers presided over the Jets’ beginning offense, displaying no obvious indicators of rust and no lingering results from a torn Achilles that ended his 2023 season on the fourth snap.

“He is doing all the pieces,” Saleh mentioned of the observe routine.

With Rodgers at quarterback, the ball did not contact the bottom till the latter phases of the 90-minute observe. He was good (2-for-2) in his first 11-on-11 interval, was good (5-for-5) in his solely 7-on-7 interval, and accomplished his first three makes an attempt within the subsequent 11-on-11 earlier than lacking huge receiver Xavier Gipson on a deep sideline route. Moments earlier, he had made his greatest throw of the day, splitting a pair of defenders on a deep seam to Gipson.

“I do not need to exit as a bum,” Rodgers mentioned. “In order that’s why I put the work in and imagine in my talents. I imply, you guys noticed at this time. There is not any pads on, however I can clearly nonetheless throw it with one of the best of them and might nonetheless transfer round.

“I sit up for getting again to the place I used to be final 12 months. After I play properly, I feel all the person prospects for recognition could be nice. But when I play the best way I am able to enjoying, we’ll be enjoying for lots greater than that.”

Rodgers’ return has energized the group after a bitterly disappointing 2023, which noticed the Jets (7-10) cycle by three different quarterbacks after Rodgers’ devastating damage in Week 1. Saleh made some modifications to the offensive employees, however he retained coordinator Nathaniel Hackett amid hypothesis that he would possibly rent a senior assistant above Hackett.

Hackett will stay the playcaller, in line with Saleh, who has taken a higher function within the offense. Likelihood is, a wholesome Rodgers will make everybody higher.

“It is wonderful,” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich marveled. “He is discovered some kind of fountain of youth as a result of I do not ever see a special model of him. It is the identical man I noticed the final 4 weeks of the season when he was dicing us up on the scout-team stuff.”

“I do not need to exit as a bum. In order that’s why I put the work in and imagine in my talents. I imply, you guys noticed at this time. There is not any pads on, however I can clearly nonetheless throw it with one of the best of them and might nonetheless transfer round.”

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers practiced on a restricted foundation late final season with the backups, attempting to tug off an unbelievable comeback from surgical procedure on his left Achilles. On the time, he clearly wasn’t 100% — his footwork and lateral motion nonetheless have been compromised — and he by no means bought again on the sphere because the Jets fell out of the race.

He was noticeably sharper Tuesday, taking part in all of the pre-practice calisthenics with the total group and doing precise operating — stuff he wasn’t capable of do on the finish of final season. Rodgers mentioned he feels “actually good” from a energy and motion standpoint, including that every one he wants is observe reps to regain his really feel and confidence.

Rodgers made headlines within the offseason, most notably when he was talked about as a possible operating mate by impartial presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Addressing it for the primary time with the native media, Rodgers mentioned the discuss of him turning into a vice presidential candidate was “an actual factor.”

“Yeah, I really like Bobby,” Rodgers mentioned. “We had a pair very nice conversations, however there have been actually two choices: It was retire and be his VP or hold enjoying. I need to hold enjoying.”

By making a lot non-football information within the offseason, together with controversial remarks on varied podcasts, Rodgers acquired criticism for seemingly contradicting his personal edict from the top of the season. On the time, he mentioned the Jets have to “flush the bulls—” and focus on soccer to turn into a successful group.

Reminded of that remark, Rodgers mentioned he appreciates all people’s opinion, including, “That is the fantastic thing about the First Modification on this nation and free speech, whether or not it is optimistic to me or whether or not it is destructive.

“I respect these opinions, however these are offseason issues and people are actual alternatives, largely podcasts, pals of mine, and the Bobby factor was an actual factor. The way it bought on the market, I do not know. It wasn’t from me. As soon as the season begins, it is all about soccer.”