Jets' Aaron Rodgers expects “great things” in comeback season

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Just days before his 20th season, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in such good spirits Thursday that he joked about his Achilles injury from last season. The fully recovered star said he expects a memorable comeback season.

“I'm very proud of my performance, so when I step out on the field, I expect great things because I've done it before,” Rodgers said before practice. “So that's the standard I hold myself to.”

Rodgers, 40, the oldest player in the NFL, will face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, two days before the one-year anniversary of his Achilles tendon tear. It happened on the fourth snap of the first game and ended the Jets' season.

“Maybe there will be a little grin after the fourth [snap],” said a smiling Rodgers, referring to Monday evening.

Rodgers has not played a full game in 20 months since his final game of the 2022 season with the Green Bay Packers. He also did not play in the preseason, although he completed a large number of practice sessions (approximately 800) in training camp.

Despite his many accomplishments, including four MVPs and a Super Bowl victory, Rodgers said he still has something to prove.

“I've always kind of played with something on my shoulder,” he said. “You have to make things from time to time, but yeah, I mean, it's kind of about proving it. Who would I have to prove it to? Just myself right now.”

The Jets, who start the season with Super Bowl ambitions, are relying fully on Rodgers – again.

“I think he's in great shape,” coach Robert Saleh said. “Not only mentally, but physically, he looks fantastic. You guys have been there every day and seen how good he looked, how good he looks. … He's a professional. He's been doing this for a long time. He's not a 40-year-old quarterback, so I think he's fine.”

Rodgers threw the ball well in training camp, but what stood out to his teammates about his game was his ability to move in the pocket. The Achilles injury didn't seem to have any negative effects. Of course, he hasn't had to face a live pass rush yet.

He reiterated his belief that the Jets, who have gone 7-10 the past two seasons, have Super Bowl potential. “Of course,” said Rodgers, who raved about his improved offensive line. He also praised the maturity of the locker room and said that attitude will help the team deal with adversity.

“I've always played with something on my shoulder. From time to time you have to make things, but, yeah, I mean, it's kind of about proving it. Who would I have to prove it to? Just myself at the moment.”

Aaron Rodgers

“We can't ride these waves of emotion or frustration or external narratives or anything like that,” Rodgers said. “We have to be very tight-lipped about this. We can't tolerate leaks or people abandoning ship. We have to be clear that it's going to be a long season.”

He made similar comments at the end of last season, saying the team needed to learn to avoid distractions and “wash away the bullshit.” That remark drew criticism as Rodgers himself made headlines, first as a rumored vice presidential candidate and later for an unexcused trip to Egypt during a mandatory minicamp. He was fined by the team for missing camp.

Since then, according to coaches and teammates, his focus has been on football.

“I’m in good shape,” Rodgers said.[I] I really had a memorable year in a lot of ways – some really difficult things, but also some great things. So during the national anthem, there's always a moment of reflection where you can collect your thoughts and send gratitude to the universe for having the opportunity to be on the field and in the tracksuits. I'm really going to be happy about that.”

Meanwhile, the Jets appear to be without Pro Bowl edge rusher Haason Reddick, whose strike continues. Reddick, who is demanding a new contract, has not participated in any team activities since being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles on March 29.

Saleh did not rule out Reddick's participation on Monday night, but said it was still possible he could play if he showed up for practice.

“It's doable,” said Saleh. “The opponent we are playing against now only had two guys [Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk] show up for practice. You trust your veterans who know how to do things right to get themselves ready to play.”