The Green Bay Packers moved on from Aaron Rodgers just over one calendar year ago. Days before the 2023 NFL Draft, the Packers agreed to trade Rodgers to the New York Jets. This came nearly a month after Rodgers made his intentions known that he wanted to play in New York the following season.
As the 2024 season inches closer, the four-time MVP quarterback commented on his exit from his former team.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Still Not Over How He Left Former Team
Rodgers tore his Achilles in his first season as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback just four snaps into his tenure. This is Rodgers’ second season in the Big Apple, and he recently discussed his future in football.
He knows that if he doesn’t perform well this season, he won’t be a Jet moving forward. That’s what happened to him in Green Bay, he said. According to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports:
Eighth months removed from tearing his Achilles on the fourth play of his Jets career, Rodgers sees his 2024 season brings high stakes — for his season, for his legacy and for his coaches’ job security.
“As you get older in the league, if you don’t perform, they’re going to get rid of you or bring in the next guy to take over,” Rodgers said. “It happened in Green Bay, and I’m a few years older than I was back then.
“I think if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably gonna be out of here. I like that kind of pressure, though.”
The Jets traded for the 10-time Pro Bowler ahead of the 2023 offseason. Rodgers was coming off a down statistical season by his standards, completing 64.6% of passes for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during the Packers’ 8-9 campaign in 2022.
But Rodgers is not long removed from winning league MVP honors with 37 touchdowns to four interceptions in 2021, a defense of his 2020 MVP award in a 48-to-5 year.
The Jets struggled mightily in his absence last year, their top-3 defense hampered by the 31st-ranked offense. Reports circulated that the Jets looked this offseason to replace offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, a close friend of Rodgers’, as play caller.
Saleh confirmed Tuesday that Hackett will call plays in 2024.
“It’s about building an offense that can weather the storm of injury, right?” Saleh said. “Last year we got kind of caught behind the eight ball with preparing.”
“I’ve played with this man. You can’t tell me a quarterback in this league that has a sharper mind playing football than Aaron Rodgers.”
— @GregJennings pic.twitter.com/0UhuqbZ1i0
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) May 24, 2024
The Packers And Jets Will Both Be Looking To Compete For A Championship In 2024
The Jets will be in a “win now” mode for as long as Rodgers is under center. They brought him in for one reason, to win a championship. The NFC East suddenly feels more open. The Bills moved on from a number of veterans, highlighted by Stefon Diggs. The Dolphins stayed (relatively) stagnant this off-season, and the Patriots figure to start a rookie quarterback in week one.
The Jets should feel they have just as good of odds as anyone to win the division.
The Packers, meanwhile, feel like they are just starting to enter their Super Bowl window. They will be heading into the 2024 season as one of the youngest teams in the league (again). After falling just three points shy of reaching the NFC Championship game last season, making the playoffs feels like the “floor” for this team.
The Packers will likely have to beat out the Detroit Lions to take home the NFC North. The Bears and Vikings are in unknown waters until we see what their rookie quarterbacks are made out of.
Either way, both of these teams figure to be competitive in 2024.
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