Aaron Rodgers and the Jets' Super Bowl dreams: 'That's got to be the focus'
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Aaron Rodgers is planning another trip, but this time he wants to bring all of the Jets with him in February.
“The goal is New Orleans,” Rodgers said after the Jets’ first practice of training camp Wednesday.
New Orleans is the site of Super Bowl LIX. Rodgers feels the Jets are one of a number of teams with a legitimate chance to get there and he wants everyone in the locker room to believe it and put every effort into making it a reality.
“That’s got to be the focus,” Rodgers said. “That’s got to be the manifestation through our words and our actions. Everything needs to be intentional that we do on the field, in the meeting rooms, just try not to waste any moments.
“It has to be the goal. The beauty is every single year there’s eight to 12 teams maybe, probably less, but eight to 12 teams that could actually do it. We’re one of those eight to 12.”
Rodgers being healthy after tearing his left Achilles tendon four snaps into last season is a primary reason for the optimism. The 40-year-old Rodgers said he feels great and moved well on Wednesday. Practice ended with Rodgers moving around in the pocket before hitting receiver Allen Lazard for a touchdown.
“He can still sling it,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “His lower-half movement looked really good.”
This was Rodgers first time meeting with reporters since he skipped the Jets’ mandatory minicamp in June to travel to Egypt with friends. Rodgers, who attended each OTA practice before that, received heavy criticism for his absence.
Rodgers said while he was rehabbing, he came up with a plan to go to Egypt, which was “a bucket list” item. He said he made the arrangements based on the Jets’ offseason schedule last season and thought that week was safe.
Saleh ended up cancelling minicamp in 2023 because the Jets were reporting to training camp several days earlier than usual since they were playing in the Hall of Fame game. Of course, Rodgers could have consulted Saleh and the Jets before finalizing anything. Rodgers said he tried to move things around once he saw the Jets' schedule, but he couldn’t.
“I knew the consequences,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said he was fined by the Jets, but he and Saleh are in a good place. Saleh said he and Rodgers talked throughout the offseason. Saleh appreciated the “cool pictures” his quarterback sent him.
“It was more of an issue outside of the building than it was inside the building,” Rodgers said. “Robert and I are great. We had great conversations throughout the offseason, had a fun one last night in his office.
“I’m an adult, I knew what I was getting into, I knew the fine that was coming, also knew how much I wanted to be in Egypt. I wish there hadn’t been a conflict scheduling-wise. It was what it was.”
It’s all about football for Rodgers and the Jets now. They improved the offensive line, picking up Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and John Simpson and drafting Olu Fashanu.
“I think we’re better up front,” Rodgers said.
He also thinks the Jets are better overall than last year when he felt they had the potential to do something special. The Jets finished 7-10 and missed the postseason for the 13th straight year.
Saleh said things are “a lot calmer” this season. The Jets were touted as Super Bowl contenders last year and featured on HBO’s "Hard Knocks." According to Saleh, the focus and intent are different.
“Guys have a much more business-like approach to the way we’re approaching things,” Saleh said. “We’ve been through it. Last year the offseason, the hype machine, all that good stuff, where this year guys are locked in. It’s definitely a different feel.”
Reddick’s holdout
Saleh said he doesn’t know when Haason Reddick – who is holding out in a contract dispute – will show up. Saleh is “not overly concerned” about Reddick picking up the defense because he’s a veteran. In Reddick’s absence, Will McDonald, Takk McKinley and Micheal Clemons will get more opportunities to prove themselves.
Jet streams
Mike Williams (torn ACL) opened camp on the physically unable to perform list. He worked off on the side. Williams could be ready for Week 1, but he could be on a snap count early. … Alijah Vera-Tucker (torn triceps) did individual position drills, but not team stuff. Morgan Moses (torn triceps) worked on a side field.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
