Jets would be ‘shocked’ if Aaron Rodgers’ stay in New York didn’t span multiple seasons

FLORHAM PARK, NJ (AP) — Aaron Rodgers might stay with the New York Jets a little longer than many initially thought.

The 39-year-old quarterback has not committed beyond this season, but he has hinted multiple times that his first year with the Jets won’t be his last.

Rodgers reiterated that sentiment Friday during an appearance on the show “DiPietro & Rothenberg” on ESPN Radio in New York.

“The Jets gave up a lot for me, so I only played one year. I think that would be a disservice,” Rodgers said. “Now, if this year turns out to be a magical year, who knows? It’s more than that, it’s how my body feels.

In other words, a run to the Super Bowl could change all that.

But other than that, the Jets expect Rodgers to be under center next season — and perhaps beyond.

“I would be shocked if he didn’t play several years,” coach Robert Saleh said. “I mean, he looks like a little kid there.”

Rodgers said in the radio interview that a modified diet and training program allowed his body to feel “really, really good” at this point in the year.

“Talk to me in three or four months, we’ll see how I feel,” he said. “But the way I feel now, I think I could play for several more years. »

Rodgers was acquired by New York from Green Bay in April, bringing the four-time NFL MVP to a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 12 years — the league’s longest active drought. During his introductory news conference, he talked about how the Jets’ 1969 Super Bowl trophy looks “lonely” and that the goal is to add another one to a team hungry for a winner.

After his first practice of training camp with the Jets on Thursday, Rodgers praised the team’s young talent and how it has energized him in his 19th NFL season.

“You have a good window,” he added. “It’s not just a one-year window where you can be competitive, which is fun.”

The Jets went all out to bring in Rodgers, sending a first, second and sixth round pick in this year’s draft to the Packers, as well as a conditional second round pick next year that could become a first round pick if the quarterback plays at least 65% of the snaps – which New York hopes to be the case. Green Bay gave up first and fifth round picks this year, as well as Rodgers.

Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, considered retirement during the offseason before retreating into obscurity over the winter to clear his mind and decide what he wanted for his future. He determined he wanted to keep playing football — and intended to do so with the Jets.

This set the wheels in motion for the swap, which required several weeks of negotiations between the parties before being finalized.

Saleh said Rodgers hasn’t told the team what his plans are beyond this season, but the Jets aren’t pushing him to do so either.

“I don’t want to put him in a corner and force him to commit to something like that,” Saleh said. “I just want him to have fun and know that when he comes into this building to relax and have a little fun, BS with the guys, come to the office, come talk to us and just enjoy playing football.

“If you love playing football, chances are you want to continue doing it. »

On Thursday, Rodgers talked about being more patient now at this point in his career with the process, not getting agitated if things don’t work out early in training camp and focusing on improving as he goes. and as summer progresses to prepare for the season.

He also noted the differences between playing in New York and Green Bay, including the increased media attention and added hype surrounding “Hard Knocks” featuring the Jets this year.

“Yeah, it’s spectacular,” Rodgers said. “I mean, that’s what you want. You want to be part of a place that has high expectations. And there’s a lot of positivity here, which I think is a good thing. »

NOTES: The Jets signed DL Ifeadi Odenigbo and RB Damarea Crockett and released TE Izaiah Gathings. Odenigbo had 14 career sacks in six NFL seasons, including stints with the Vikings, Browns, Cardinals, Giants, Colts and Buccaneers. Crockett, who missed last season with a torn ACL, has experience working with Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from their time in Green Bay and Denver together. He also played with the Texans and Raiders.

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