New Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: 'I believe in this team'
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Aaron Rodgers walked into the Jets training facility for the first time on Wednesday and took note of how the franchise’s trophy case was nearly empty.
“I noticed walking in this morning that that Super Bowl III trophy is looking a little lonely,” Rodgers said at his introductory news conference.
The Jets’ new quarterback plans to change that.
The 39-year-old Rodgers made it very clear that he wanted to be a Jet because he believes they have a legitimate chance of putting another Super Bowl trophy on the shelf. Rodgers said they’re 8-12 teams every year with a shot and the Jets are one of them.
Rodgers has already envisioned what it would be like to join legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath as the only other player to lead this franchise to a Super Bowl title.
“That’s why I’m here,” Rodgers said. “I’m not here to be a stopgap to have a mediocre season. We want to win the whole thing. There’s a few iconic franchises in the league. I feel like this is one of them. It’s because of the players. Joe Willie Namath, people like that go down in history when you win a game like that and you guarantee it in the third Super Bowl.
“It’s time for this team to be back where it needs to be and that’s competing for championships. We’re one of those squads who can actually win it. That’s how you create those legacies is winning in certain places and this is one of those places.”
The Jets officially acquired Rodgers from the Packers on Wednesday. The sent picks 13, 42 and 207 in this draft. They also gave Green Bay a conditional second-round pick next year that could become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps this season.
It was a lot to give up for someone who may only play one season. But after committing to only playing 2023 during his news conference, Rodgers said later that he could see himself beyond this year.
“I really do,” Rodgers said. “They definitely gave up some picks for me to be here. This isn’t like a one-and-done in my mind. This is a commitment. But it just starts with this season. That’s why I want to be present and not talk about future things.”
Rodgers is committed to the Jets. He said he is restructuring his contract, which was set to pay him $59.6 million this season. Rodgers is also planning to stick around and take part in OTAs. He wants to get to know his new teammates and start building chemistry with them on and off the field.
With Rodgers, the future is now for the Jets. They have a four-time MVP quarterback who has created a buzz in the building and immediately raised expectations.
“When he walks in the building everything changes,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “I think walking into the building, being him, being who he is, who I know he is, just elevates everybody.”
Robert Saleh said, “I think everybody’s really excited about what we can do.”
Hackett and Saleh are big reasons that Rodgers decided when he was leaving the Packers it was “the Jets and only the Jets for me.”
Hackett was Rodgers’ offensive coordinator for three seasons in Green Bay. Rodgers said he loves Hackett “like a brother.” Rodgers also admires Saleh’s system and leadership and feels he has the Jets heading in the right direction. Rodgers referenced the joint practice the Packers and Jets had two years ago and how the Jets won in Green Bay last season.
“What coach has done the last couple of years, he’s building something special the right way,” Rodgers said. “I’m not here to be a savior. I’m just here to be the best quarterback I can be, to lead authentically and to inspire the guys around me to raise their level of play to an even greater spot.”
Rodgers is being looked at as a savior though. The Jets haven’t been in the playoffs in 12 years and their only Super Bowl appearance was Jan. 12, 1969. They got Rodgers to end both long droughts.
“I’m OK if that’s the perception. I’m fine with that,” he said. “The expectation is to play great. That’s why I’m going to be here and be around the guys. You want to get to know them, want to put my stamp on the offense, on the locker room and let these guys know what the expectations are going to be. It’s time for all of us to set the proper expectations about this team.
“Like I said last year after we played them, they’re not the same old Jets. This is a team that has legitimate opportunity to do something special this year so let’s start manifesting with our words the desire in heart and the potential that we see in each other. I believe we have something special here. We all need to believe it.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
