2023 Jets Country Player Profile: QB Aaron Rodgers (8)

Meet every player on the New York Jets' 90-man preseason roster through our daily series

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jun 8, 2023 9:58 PM EDT

In this story:

The Jets Country player profile series counts up to NFL roster cutdown day. Starting at No. 1 on the team's numerical roster, we will feature one player per day.

Out of the darkness stepped the New York Jets' knight in shining armor.

After completing his 18th, and likely last, season in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers embarked on a darkness retreat and later admitted to being "90 percent retired" at that time.

Fortunately for Gang Green, Rodgers experienced a change of heart during his period of isolation. He decided he still wanted to play and he wanted to do it as a Jet.

After two months of intense speculation, Jets brass finally made the dream become a reality by agreeing on a trade for the four-time NFL MVP.

"I’m here because I believe in this team, I believe in Coach [Robert] Saleh, I believe in the direction of Joe Douglas," said Rodgers at his introductory press conference on April 26. "Obviously, a big thanks to the Green Bay Packers organization for an incredible run. That chapter is over now, and I’m excited about the new adventure here in New York."

The 39-year old Rodgers gives the Jets the stability that they so greatly lacked at the quarterback position.

Despite dipping below his career averages, Rodgers accounted for a 64.6 completion percentage and a 26:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2022. Jets' quarterbacks completed pass at a 56.98 percent rate while combining for 14 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions last season.

In a reversal of his last few years with the Packers, Rodgers has been present for the Jets' voluntary offseason program.

"It's been awesome. It's been a lot of fun," said Rodgers. "I haven't been to OTAs in the last couple years, so it's been nice to kinda be out here, be in the meetings."

The future Hall-of-Fame quarterback's approach has impressed the Jets' third-year head coach.

"I’ve never been around a quarterback quite like him, personally, and all his experience," said Saleh on May 5. "His communication, every play, just talking to the receivers, talking to the backs, his demeanor in the meetings, all of that stuff. He practically is another coach out there, he’s pretty impressive."

Rodgers's leadership has been a motif throughout OTAs.

"Just sitting in meetings and having him be vocal about his cadence and the way he wants to operate within the offense as a quarterback calling the signals, the relationship he has with [offensive coordinator Nathaniel] Hackett," said Saleh prior to practice on May 23.

Rodgers considers Hackett as a friend. The grizzled veteran has mentioned that the chance to work with his former offensive coordinator again made the Jets an attractive destination.

With the Packers averaging 13 wins per season, Rodgers threw 111 touchdowns passes to only 13 interceptions over the three-year span in Hackett's scheme. In 2020, the veteran quarterback set single-season career highs in completion percentage (70.7) and TD passes (48).

"AR, he can make crazy throws that a lot of quarterbacks can't, and the ball placement, where he puts the ball at for the receiver to get, it's pretty crazy at times," said Jets' cornerback D.J. Reed.

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback

Number: 8
Current Status: Starter
How/When Acquired: Trade with Green Bay (April 2023)
2022 Final Stats: 17 GS, 64.6 completion pct, 3,695 pass yards, 26 TD passes, 12 INT, 6.8 ypa, 39.3 QBR
Accolades: Four-time NFL MVP (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021); Super Bowl XLV MVP

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