Drafted in 24th position in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers finally decided to leave his franchise forever to try a bold bet at a time when some plan instead to take a well-deserved retirement. But will it pay off for the 39-year-old quarterback? Still, the Californian did not choose the easy way by linking his destiny to that of the NY Jets. Last in its division, the other New York team has the advantage of having the same dominant color as that of the Packers: green. But the lights are rather red on the highway leading to the SuperBowl. The Jets have not participated in the playoffs since 2010. An eternity. Yet there is a certain wind of optimism in East Rutherford. “We’re not going to lie to each other: we want to win the SuperBowl,” says Garrett Wilson, wide receiver (offensive line) for the Jets.
The latter have not won a championship for 50 years. But not enough to scare Aaron Rodgers, who has seen others. “Change can be difficult, especially when it is so drastic after 17 years in the same place, says the man who turns 40 in December. But there are very beautiful things to live. We want everyone to jump aboard the Jets wagon. High expectations are a good thing. But we are putting together a puzzle, and I want it to be done in the best possible way.”
A salary of 110 to 75 million dollars
Rodgers, winner of a SuperBowl during the 2010 season, is so motivated by this new challenge that he recently accepted a new two-year contract with the Jets… depriving him of 35 million dollars. But rest assured: the Californian will have 75 million to put in his pocket all the same. “It was the right thing to do, I feel better this way, guarantees the quadruple MVP (best player). It was important that the leaders of the Jets know how committed I am to this project. I wanted to make sure that if someone valuable was available, we could attract them.”
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It was important that the leaders of the Jets know how committed I am to this project.
It is certain that these 35 million give the Jets some flexibility to strengthen the team: the wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb arrived in the suitcases of Rodgers from Wisconsin; Alex Erickson (wide receiver too), Damarea Crockett (running-back) and another Carter Warren (offensive tackle) came to reinforce the attack. Ifeadi Odenigbo (linebacker) and Dane Cruikshank (safety) come to strengthen the defense. And it’s probably not over (Editor’s note: the end of transactions is set for November 1), thanks to the 35 million saved. “I’m in New York because I believe in this team, assured Rodgers during his presentation. I’m old so I want to be part of a team that can win everything (laughs). We can do it here…”
Pressure on attackers
Well surrounded, well protected, a quarterback can perform miracles even in his forties. It is not Tom Brady who will say the opposite, he who won the SuperBowl with the Buccaneers at 43 years old. But Rodgers is not one to hide, to stay in his pocket. If he can throw the ball 50 yards, he is equally capable of delivering a blind pass or attempting a run. “He’s a future member of the Hall of Fame, laughs CJ Uzomah, Jets tight end. He makes adjustments, dissects defenses in the boardroom, and isn’t shy about saying how he wants certain things done. I’m learning so much more about football (alongside Rodgers) than in all the years I’ve played football. This is very fun.”
It will be understood: Aaron Rodgers is not in early retirement; in any case, Saudi Arabia did not call him to launch this sport in the Persian Gulf. But the revival of the Jets, it is inevitable, does not convince everyone. “Rodgers is obviously an excellent quarterback, comments Ndamukong Suh, who will not strengthen the defense of the Jets. But a lot of things have to come together to become serious SuperBowl contenders. The Jets have a good defense but I don’t know where their offensive line is…”
Are the Jets offense ready to spark? We’ll have an answer this Friday as the preseason opener pits them against the Browns. But everything will be ready at the beginning of September with a big piece as a starter: Josh Allen’s Bills.
Can Aaron Rodgers make the Jets final victory contenders? ©Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
2023-08-01 18:56:00
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