Aaron Rodgers could stay with the New York Jets for a little longer than many thought.
The 39-year-old quarterback hasn’t committed to playing football beyond this season, but has hinted several times that his first year with the Jets won’t be his last.
Rodgers reiterated that sentiment Friday during an appearance on ESPN Radio’s “DiPietro & Rothenberg” show in New York.
“The Jets gave a lot for me, so to play just one year, I think, would be a disservice,” Rodgers said. “Now if that year turns out to be a magical year, who knows? It’s more than that, it’s how my body feels.”
In other words, a run to the Super Bowl could change all that.
But other than that, the Jets hope Rodgers will be under center next season, and perhaps beyond.
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t play for several years,” coach Robert Saleh said. “I mean, he looks like a little kid.”
Rodgers said in the radio interview that a modified diet and training regimen makes his body feel “really, really good” at this time of year.
“Talk to me in three or four months, we’ll see how you feel,” he said. “But the way I feel now, I think I could play several years.”
Rodgers was acquired by New York from Green Bay in April, bringing the four-time NFL MVP to a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 12 years, the longest active drought in the league. During his introductory press conference, he talked about how “lonely” the Jets’ 1969 Super Bowl trophy looks and the goal is to add another to a team hungry to be a winner.
After his first training camp practice with the Jets on Thursday, Rodgers praised the young talent the team has and how it has energized him in his 19th NFL season.
“You have a good window,” he added. “It’s not just a one-year thing where you can be competitive, which is fun.”
The Jets did their best to bring Rodgers on board, sending a first-, second- and sixth-round pick in this year’s draft to the Packers, along with a conditional second-rounder next year that could become a first-rounder if the quarterback plays at least 65% of the snaps, which New York hopes will be the case. Green Bay handed out first- and fifth-round picks this year, along with Rodgers.
Rodgers, who will turn 40 in December, contemplated retirement during the offseason before retiring into obscurity over the winter to clear his mind and decide what he wanted for his future. He determined that he wanted to continue playing football and he intended to do so with the Jets.
That set the wheels in motion for the trade, which took several weeks of negotiations between the parties before it was completed.
Saleh said Rodgers hasn’t told the team what his plans are beyond this season, but the Jets aren’t pushing him to do so either.
“I don’t want to corner him and force him to commit to something like that,” Saleh said. “I just want you to have fun and know that when you walk into this building to relax and have some fun, BS with the guys, come to the office, come talk to us and just enjoy playing soccer.”
“Most likely, if you like playing football, you’ll want to keep doing it.”
On Thursday, Rodgers talked about being more patient now at this point in his career with the process, not freaking out if things don’t work out early in training camp and focusing on improving as the summer progresses in preparation for the season.
Aaron Rodgers feels ‘less activated’ as he enters training camp with the Jets
He also noted the differences between playing in New York and Green Bay, including the increased media attention and added hype with “Hard Knocks” with the Jets this year.
“Yeah, it’s spectacular,” Rodgers said. “I mean, that’s what you want. You want to be a part of a place that has high expectations. And there’s a lot of positivity around here, which I think is a good thing.”
Associated Press report.
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