Jets have to learn how to handle prosperity, Aaron Rodgers says

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Jets’ modest two-game winning streak has been treated like a grand achievement outside of their building. It needs to stay there, Aaron Rodgers believes.

According to Rodgers, an important step in the Jets’ growth as a team is ignoring the praise and learn how to deal with some prosperity. It was something Mike McCarthy, his former coach in Green Bay, said nearly 20 years ago that stuck with Rodgers, and he referenced it Wednesday.

“Mike McCarthy said our biggest struggle is going to be handling success,” Rodgers said. “There’s a lot to that. It’s easier when you’re kind of getting kicked in the teeth to kind of come together: ‘It’s us against the world. It’s us against the big bad media, who’s saying how bad we are.’ And we kind of come together.

“Can you still come together and have the same approach when everybody’s kind of starting to sing your praises a little bit? I think that’s the mark of a great team. Can you handle the success part with the same focus, the same mentality, the same mindset, the same energy when you’re starting to get on a little bit of a roll?”

The Jets haven’t enjoyed much success in recent years.

They’ve missed the playoffs 13 consecutive times. This is only the second time since 2015 that they’ve started 2-1. The Jets will try to open 3-1 for the first time in nine years when they face Denver at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Rodgers feels the Jets can compete for a Super Bowl this year. He said being consistent in everything they do, at work or away from each other, is the best way for them to maintain their level of focus.

“It’s consistent messaging from the top, and then the leaders in the locker room exemplifying those messages and then just trying to practice good habits,” Rodgers said. “It’s not just when you’re at the facility. It’s what you’re doing when you’re home.

“How are you preparing? Games are often won and lost in the Monday-to-Saturday of a normal week because that’s when you take care of your body, get your rest, eat right, prepare the right way, have the right conversations. Sunday is the finality of the six days of preparation.”

The Jets have had some extra days to get their bodies and minds right. They last played on Thursday when their defense held New England to 139 yards of offense and Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-3 win.

The Broncos (1-2) are coming off an impressive win, too. Their defense led them over previously unbeaten Tampa Bay.

“They’re a very good football team,” Robert Saleh said. “I think they’re underrated. Not in this building, obviously.”

This will be Zach Wilson’s return to MetLife, but he’ll be watching from the sideline.

The Jets traded their former No. 2 pick to Denver in the offseason. Wilson is Denver’s third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham. Rodgers said he still keeps “tabs on” and “in touch with” Wilson.

“I love Zach, always looked at him like a little brother,” Rodgers said. “I enjoyed our time together, on and off the field and I wish him a lot of success. I was really happy for him, the way he finished preseason. I think this will be a good year for him to kind of reset and hopefully he gets an opportunity down the road.”

Mosley still sidelined

Linebacker C.J. Mosley, who missed last Thursday’s game due to a toe injury, didn’t practice. He wore a protective boot on his right foot and worked on a side field. It’s not a good sign coming off a long break. Saleh said they want to “make sure his toe doesn’t become a problem.” Mosley could be a game-day decision

Two-minute drill

Right tackle Morgan Moses (knee) will miss at least two games but “not enough to put him on IR,” Saleh said. Rookie Olu Fashanu will get his first NFL start. … Rodgers, who was upset last year when Broncos coach Sean Payton said ex-Denver coach (and current Jets offensive coordinator) Nathaniel Hackett did “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL” in 2022, said he hadn’t thought about recently and called it “old news.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.