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Aaron Rodgers doesn't want to 'go out as a bum' as he outlines grim reality if Jets fail again
Aaron Rodgers has heaped pressure on the Jets ahead of their do-or-die season this fall, as he admitted that he doesn't want to 'go out as a bum' while outlining the grim reality of his team extending its playoff drought - the longest in the NFL.
Speaking to reporters after his second OTA practice - the first open to the media - on Tuesday, the 39-year-old quarterback looked healthy, confident and unfazed ahead of a career-defining year for himself, head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.
'You might not say it, but as you get older in the league, if you don't perform, they're going to get rid of you or bring in the next guy take over,' he said, recalling what his former team did to him ahead of his trade to New York in 2023. 'I mean, it happened in Green Bay, and I'm a few years older than I was back then.'
Setting the bar high for his teammates, Rodgers was in no mood to joke about his expectations this upcoming season, as the Jets last appeared in the playoffs, 14 years ago, in 2010.
'I expect to play at a high level. I expect us to be productive and competitive and all that stuff to take care of itself,' he said, adding: 'If I don't do what I know I'm capable of doing, we're all probably going to be out of here, so... I like that kind of pressure, though.'
Aaron Rodgers was in a defiant mood when asked about his ambitions for the 2024 NFL season
The 39-year-old veteran QB has no limitations in the Jets' OTA after tearing his Achilles in Sept.
Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of his debut with the Jets in the season opener against Buffalo last September 11. He pushed his rehabilitation with the intention to return at the end of last season but decided to forgo those plans when New York fell out of playoff contention and he was still not 100 percent healthy.
Rodgers focused instead on being fully ready for this season - and he appears well on track to do so. The four-time league MVP and 2011 Super Bowl champion has no limitations as he practices with the team during OTAs, which began Monday.
'I feel really good,' Rodgers said. 'It's just about the mental part. These practices have been nice the last couple of days, just to feel what it's like to be out there, moving around and not be thinking about it and see how I respond the next day.
'This is the last part. The strength is good, the movement's good. Just the confidence to do everything.'
Jets head coach Robert Saleh added: 'He's doing everything. There's no limitations to what we're asking him to do at practice.'
Rodgers looked sharp and moved well on Tuesday during non-contact team drills. Rodgers had a highlight-reel throw down the middle of the field to a well-covered Xavier Gipson that would have been a touchdown. He also connected a few times with leading receiver Garrett Wilson, including one that zipped through traffic for a short score.
Rodgers didn't misplace a pass until the latter stages of the 90-minute practice, per ESPN
The QB's return has refueled optimism around the Jets, who were considered a playoff contender a year ago - with talk of a Super Bowl appearance suggested by Rodgers and his teammates.
The NFL's schedule makers think highly of the team, too, slotting the Jets for six night prime-time games in the first 11 weeks. They'll also play an early morning national game in London against Minnesota in Week 5.
Mike North, the NFL's vice president for broadcast planning, said last week, 'I feel like the Jets kind of owe us one' after the team had five prime-time games scheduled and the league's first Black Friday game and Rodgers was hurt in Week 1.
'It's New York, there's always going to be excitement,' Saleh said. 'It's awesome that we're looked at in that light. But at the same time, none of it matters unless we focus on the process, going day to day and try to do the best we can.'
Rodgers's first season as a Jet was over within the opening minutes of New York's game against the Buffalo Bills on September 11, 2023
Rodgers said talk about him potentially being a vice presidential candidate for Robert Kennedy Jr. was 'real,' but his heart remained set on football over politics.
'I love Bobby,' Rodgers said. 'We had a couple of really nice conversations. But there were really two options: It was retire and be his V.P. or keep playing. And I wanted to keep playing.'
Rodgers has been in the headlines other times during the past few months for various comments about politics, vaccines, health care and conspiracy theories made during TV and podcast appearances. He stressed at the end of last season the team needs to eliminate outside distractions - a statement by which he still stands.
'Those were offseason things and those were real opportunities,' Rodgers said. 'Once the season starts, it's all about football.'