In 2023, when the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, it was Super Bowl or bust. However, Rodgers tore his Achilles in the first game of the season and missed the rest of the season. New York would finish a disappointing 7-10 and miss the playoffs.
As they prepare for the 2024 season, it’s still Super Bowl or bust for Rodgers and the Jets. The 40-year-old is hoping to be the same guy before the injury, which won’t be easy.
On Tuesday, Rodgers addressed the media, and according to him, things are good with his Achilles.
“Yeah, I feel really good,” he said. “It’s just about the mental part. Just I think these practices have been nice, last couple days to feel what it is like to be out there to be moving around and not be thinking about it and see how I respond the next day. So, it’s just this last part, the strength is good, the movement’s good, just the confidence to do everything.”
The four-time MVP is happy with where the Jets are talent-wise. New York added LT Tyron Smith and RT Morgan Moses. In addition, they have Pro Bowl LB Haason Reddick on defense. Rodgers feels New York is a better spot than they were a year ago.
“I think we’re ahead of where we were last year,” Rodger said “A second year in the offense helps. The veteran leadership helps a lot, too. I don’t think you can undervalue that with Tyron and Big Moses and then bringing John (Simpson) in as well, those guys who played a lot of football and now you’re looking at the guys who played a lot last year. Starting a season in backup roles gives you a lot of confidence in the two deep in the offensive line. We brought in some other veterans around us as well. I haven’t seen Haason (Reddick) or Javon (Kinlaw), but love those signings. I think it’s time for the players to continue to take ownership of the locker room and the team, player led teams give you the best chance to win.”
Again, the pressure is on the Jets to be very good in 2024, and Rodgers likes it,
“Well, I think if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably going to be out of here,” he explained. “I like that kind of pressure, though. It’s a tough market to play in; it’s not for everybody. I relish that opportunity, but that’s the way the NFL is, I’m not saying anything monumental as you guys are typing away and putting your tweets out, this is how it is every single year. You might not just 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 to take over. I mean, it happened in Green Bay, and I’m a few years older than what I was back then. So, 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.”
There were reports that Rodgers could be presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, but Rodgers said he wants to keep playing football.
“Yeah, I love Bobby(Kennedy),” he said. “We had a couple really nice conversations, but there were really two options. It was retire and be his VP or keep playing and I want to keep playing.”
It’s hard for any player to return from an Achilles, and it won’t be easy for Rodgers, but he has high hopes, and the New York Jets still have high hopes in 2024.
