Aaron Rodgers was in an upbeat mood during his first press conference with the New York Jets, although the 39-year-old initially said he was focused solely on a successful NFL season in 2023.
He later added: “I’m not here to be a savior of any kind.”
Before he decided he wanted to join the Jets, Rodgers said he had been “90% retired”. The Jets received Rodgers, the No 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder this year from the Green Bay Packers. In exchange, Green Bay got the 13th overall selection, a second-rounder, a sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that could become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of New York’s offensive snaps this season. That sets up a scenario where the Jets could be without Rodgers and a first-round pick in 2024 if he chooses to retire at the end of the season. He counts $15.8m against the Jets salary cap in 2023 and $32.5m in 2024.
However, speaking to reporters after the press conference Rodgers seemed more sure of playing more than one season in New York. “This isn’t a one and done in my mind,” the quarterback said, acknowledging that the Jets gave up a lot in the trade to acquire him.
Rodgers spent his first 18 seasons in Green Bay, helping the Packers win one Super Bowl while establishing himself as one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks.
“That chapter is over now and I’m excited about the new adventure here in New York,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said he chose the Jets because he believes in the direction the franchise is heading with a young core of players that includes Offensive Rookie of the Year in Garrett Wilson and Defensive Rookie of the Year in Sauce Gardner.
“I’m an old guy, so I want to be at a place that can win it all and I believe we can do that here,” he said.
Rodgers knows about the Jets’ playoff drought, which at 12 seasons is the longest active skid in the NFL. He’s also aware of the team not making a Super Bowl appearance since Joe Namath led them there in 1969.
“That Super Bowl III trophy is looking a little lonely,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers arrived at the facility on Wednesday morning wearing sunglasses and a black Jets hoodie. He was greeted one by one by owner Woody Johnson, vice chairman Christopher Johnson, Saleh – who gave the quarterback a loud high-five and hug – team president Hymie Elhai, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and general manager Joe Douglas.
“It was the Jets, and only the Jets for me,” Rodgers said after the introductory news conference.
He spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon preparing for his Big Apple intro.
“This is a happy day,” Woody Johnson said.
Since the terms of the trade were announced, the Jets have leapt from outsiders to sixth favourites to win the Super Bowl. Rodgers represents a major upgrade over Zach Wilson, the Jets’ former No 2 overall pick, who has struggled badly since bring drafted in 2021. Douglas said he believes Rodgers will make Wilson a better player.