FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers walked into the Jets’ facility on Wednesday for his introductory information convention to applause from staffers after they watched a montage of his highlights from his 18-year tenure with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Rodgers, the quarterback for whom the Jets traded this week after a prolonged negotiation course of, had landed in New Jersey the night time earlier than. On Wednesday morning, he attended conferences with Jets officers whereas barefoot, Coach Robert Saleh stated. Rodgers additionally walked previous a case holding the crew’s solely Tremendous Bowl trophy, which the Jets gained within the 1968 season, and stated he seen it was “getting lonely.”
Rodgers appeared relaxed and at dwelling throughout his first official day as a Jet, bringing optimism that one of many best quarterbacks of the fashionable period can restore success to a franchise within the N.F.L.’s largest market. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, proudly owning the longest postseason drought in main North American males’s skilled sports activities, however the crew and Rodgers hope that his arrival — even towards the top of his profession — will finish that streak.
“I’m an outdated man, so I wish to be a part of a crew that may win all of it, and I imagine that it is a place the place we get that finished,” stated the 39-year-old Rodgers.
The Jets and Packers formally agreed to commerce phrases on Wednesday after information of the deal broke on Monday. The Jets despatched the No. 13 general decide on this yr’s draft, in addition to two later-round picks and a conditional second-round decide within the 2024 N.F.L. draft, in change for Rodgers, the No. 15 decide and a later-round decide on this yr’s draft. The primary spherical begins Thursday in Kansas Metropolis, Mo.
Rodgers gained a Tremendous Bowl, appeared in 4 different N.F.C. championship video games and gained the Most Useful Participant Award 4 instances whereas with the Packers. However he grew disgruntled with the franchise over the previous two seasons due to a perceived lack of enter over personnel choices, amongst different grievances. Rodgers alluded to his strained relationship with the Packers on Wednesday when he blamed poor cellphone reception at his dwelling as a purpose he had not communicated with Inexperienced Bay officers this low season.
After the Packers completed 8-9 final season and missed the playoffs, Rodgers contemplated retiring. A cadre of Jets executives in March — together with Saleh, the crew proprietor Woody Johnson and Basic Supervisor Joe Douglas — visited Rodgers in Malibu, Calif., and that dialog helped sway Rodgers to affix the Jets, he stated.
“At that time, I felt like that is the place I used to be presupposed to be,” Rodgers stated. “I actually attempt to take heed to the indicators and synchronicities that the universe places in our face daily, and this was principally the course that every little thing was pointing.”
Later in March, Rodgers appeared on the previous N.F.L. punter Pat McAfee’s present and stated he meant to play for the Jets. Within the weeks after, Douglas and Brian Gutekunst, the Packers’ normal supervisor, publicly stated they needed to finalize a deal, however negotiations stretched over six weeks because the groups’ entrance places of work stalemated over compensation. Rodgers, although, stated he was assured the commerce would get finished.
“I believed it was going to occur all the time, it was only a matter of, I feel, ready one another out,” Rodgers stated. He added: “I imagine there was some main synchronization to make this occur, however I’m excited concerning the alternative right here.”
Rodgers performed below Nathaniel Hackett, who was employed because the Jets’ offensive coordinator in January, for 3 seasons in Inexperienced Bay, and he stated their sturdy bond was one other promoting level for becoming a member of the Jets.
The Jets’ roster additionally contains final season’s offensive rookie of the yr, receiver Garrett Wilson, and the defensive rookie of the yr, cornerback Sauce Gardner — two gamers who had brazenly recruited Rodgers. Gardner and different gamers modified their social media profile footage to a photograph of Rodgers in school, and Gardner additionally videotaped himself burning a Packers cheesehead hat in Rodgers’s honor.
The Jets’ 2022 season began promisingly at 6-3, behind a stout operating sport and one of many league’s greatest defenses. However inefficient play from quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 general decide within the 2021 N.F.L. draft, triggered Saleh to bench him with seven video games left within the season. With that instability below middle and important accidents, most notably to the rookie operating again Breece Corridor, the Jets completed 7-10 and missed the playoffs.
Rodgers stated he hopes to be a mentor to Zach Wilson, with whom he had a earlier friendship, and to be a pacesetter within the locker room. Saleh stated Rodgers must be a stabilizing presence, and that his selection of the Jets was validation that the franchise is efficiently rebuilding itself.
“Clearly you possibly can argue that our arrow’s pointing up,” Saleh stated.
Rodgers stated he envisioned being with the Jets previous this season, however stated he didn’t wish to concentrate on the longer term. His agent, David Dunn, attended the information convention, and Rodgers stated he and the Jets would restructure his contract. However for nonetheless lengthy Rodgers stays a Jet, Johnson stated he can be content material.
“With no matter he needs to do, we’re good,” Johnson stated. “We’re so pleased he’s right here. That is transformative.”
