Aaron Rodgers' message before Week 1: Cool your Jets, everyone

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers knows what’s coming when the Jets open this much-anticipated season Monday night in San Francisco. He’s hoping everyone will R-E-L-A-X.

Rodgers famously said that in Green Bay after the Packers had a slow start 10 years ago. He delivered another form of that message before the Jets practiced Thursday.

“If we win the headlines are going to be, ‘We’re going to the Super Bowl,’ ” Rodgers said. “We lose, ‘Same Old Jets.’ I think we need to get away from some of those outside themes."

As much as he wants to, Rodgers can’t control the narrative, but he was referring specifically to the Jets and how they handle the ups and downs of the season. If they need a crash course on what not to do, last season was a good blueprint.

Rodgers’ first season with the Jets ended abruptly. He tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into their Week 1 game against Buffalo. The Jets really had no backup plan, and their season became a long death march filled with drama, more injury and even more drama.

In his own way, Rodgers provided some drama with many of his comments on “The Pat McAfee Show,” including chastising the organization for media leaks.

If Rodgers and the Jets can stick to football and keep the drama and distractions to a minimum, they could be one of the AFC’s best teams. Las Vegas has the Jets as the favorites to win their division. At this point, it would be a major disappointment if the Jets don’t end their 13-year playoff drought.

The Jets improved the offensive line and added more skill players. Rodgers is healthy and playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove he’s still an elite quarterback at 40 years old.

“I have a lot of pride in my performance,” said Rodgers, a four-time MVP. “When I take the field I expect greatness, because I’ve done it before, so that’s the kind of standard I held myself to.”

He’s holding his teammates to the same standard. Rodgers said his goal is to lead the Jets on to the field in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in February, but they need to “trust the process” and “trust the program.”

Rodgers said that he’ll try to be “a stability point for the team so we’re not riding the highs too much or riding the lows. Adversity is going to come at some point during the season. We’ve got to make sure we handle it the right way.” He feels the additions of veteran offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses will help that cause.

Jets coach Robert Saleh called Rodgers the “ultimate teammate” and said his “leadership is invaluable.” He marvels at how Rodgers “interacts with everybody.”

Rodgers is the oldest player in the NFL, a Super Bowl champ and first-ballot Hall of Famer. He is only playing for one thing and that’s to win a second Super Bowl. He believes the Jets are one of eight to 12 teams with a legitimate shot to get there and he doesn’t want anything standing in the way of that.

“We can’t ride these waves of emotions or frustration or outside narrative or any of these things,” Rodgers said. “We’ve got to keep this thing very tight. We can’t have any leaks or people jumping ship.

“We’ve got to realize, it’s going to be a long season. If you don’t get the ball the first week, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to be a big part of the offense. If you don’t play the first part of the season it doesn’t mean there’s not going to be a time where your number is called and we’re going to expect you to step in there and play well.”

Saleh agrees with Rodgers about the importance of the process and approach. He stopped short of agreeing with his quarterback about the Jets being a Super Bowl contender. Saleh isn’t making any public declarations about internal or external expectations.

“I do believe we're capable of anything,” Saleh said. “But I also recognize that we haven't done anything. Until we do something, it's all hypothetical.”

Jet streams

Haason Reddick’s holdout continues, but Saleh is “not ruling him out yet” for Monday’s game . . . On the Jets’ first injury report of the season, Smith (veteran rest day) was limited, offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer (hand) did not practice and Mike Williams (returning from a torn ACL) was a full participant.

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.