FROHHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers walked into the Jets facility on Wednesday to get a standing ovation from the staff after watching a montage of highlights from his 18-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers. Held an introductory press conference.
Rodgers, the quarterback the Jets traded this week after a lengthy negotiation process, had landed in New Jersey the night before. Surrey said. Rodgers also said he walked past the case containing the only Super Bowl trophy the Jets won in 1968 and realized it was “getting lonely.”
Rodgers appeared relaxed and at home on his first official day as a Jet, optimistic that one of the greatest quarterbacks of the modern era can return success to his franchise in the NFL’s biggest market. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 and have the longest postseason drought in any major men’s professional sport in North America, but the team and Rodgers are confident that his arrival will help even if he Even though he was nearing the end of his career, he still hopes to end that streak.
“As I get older, I want to be part of a team that can win it all, and I believe this is the place to do it,” said Rogers, 39.
The Jets and Packers formally agreed terms of the deal on Wednesday after news of the deal broke on Monday. And sent a conditional second-round pick, and won the 15th pick and the late pick in exchange for Rogers. Nominated in this year’s draft. The first round begins Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri.
Rodgers won the Super Bowl, appeared in four other NFC Championship Games, and won the Most Valuable Player Award four times during his time with the Packers. But he’s been frustrated with the franchise over the past two seasons. accused of poor cell phone reception.
After the Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs last season, Rodgers considered retirement. A senior Jets executive, including Saleh, team owner Woody Johnson, and general manager Joe Douglas, visited Rodgers in Malibu, Calif., in March, and he said the conversation helped get Rodgers to join the Jets. rice field.
“At that point, I felt like this was where I belonged,” Rogers said. “I try to listen to the signs and synchronicities that the universe puts on our faces every day, and this was basically the direction everything was pointing.”
In late March, Rodgers appeared on former NFL punter Pat McAfee’s show and said he intended to play for the Jets. Although he publicly said he wanted to make a decision, negotiations dragged on for six weeks as the team’s front office stalemate over compensation.
“I believed it would happen all along. It was just a matter of, I think, waiting for each other.””
Rodgers played three seasons in Green Bay under Nathaniel Hackett, who was hired as the Jets’ offensive coordinator in January.
The Jets roster also includes receiver Garrett Wilson, who was last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, and cornerback Source Gardner, who was Defensive Rookie of the Year. Gardner and other players changed his social media profile picture to a photo of Rodgers during his college days, and Gardner recorded himself burning his hat with the Packers’ Cheesehead in Rodgers’ honor. bottom.
The Jets are off to a promising start to the 2022 season with a 6-3 record. However, inefficient play from quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, saw Saleh bench him with seven games remaining in the season. That instability under the center and significant injuries, especially rookie running back Breese Hall, caused the Jets to finish 7–10 and miss the playoffs.
Rogers said he wanted to become a mentor to Zach Wilson, with whom he had a previous friendship, and become the leader of the locker room. said it’s proof that the franchise is rebuilding successfully.
“Of course, we could argue that our arrow is pointing up,” says Saleh.
Rodgers has envisioned being with the Jets after this season, but said he didn’t want to focus on the future. said it would restructure its contract. But Johnson said he would be happy no matter how long Rodgers stays on the jet.
“Whatever he wants to do, we’ll be fine,” Johnson said.