'We're Ready!' Aaron Rodgers on Jets vs. Bills Week 1

“Next week will be an important week,'' the 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers says of Jets vs. Bills prep. "We’ll put in the final touches to the offense, but I feel good where we’re at.''

Aaron Rodgers has gotten his final tuneup, as his New York Jets downed the New York Giants 32-24 on Saturday in the NFL preseason finale. Now, what about Week 1 of the regular season?

I think we’re ready,” Rodgers said, exhibiting a notable level of confidence.

That would mean "ready'' for the Buffalo Bills, their Week 1 opponent once the regular season gets underway. And it would mean that the Jets - who have endured a 12-year playoff drought - believe that the trade for quarterback Rodgers is enough to justify their great expectations for the 2023 NFL season.

It is worth noting that while Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP with the Packers, did not spend much of the 2022 season atop the heap as he so often has, his Saturday outing looked crisp enough. He was 5-of-8 for 47 yards with a 14-yard touchdown toss to budding star Garrett Wilson, playing in two series before shutting it down.

“Next week will be an important week,'' the 39-year-old Rodgers said. "We’ll put in the final touches to the offense, but I feel good where we’re at.''

Is that "feel good'' directly related to the Jets' pursuit of a Buffalo Bills team that has in recent years thrived (with three straight AFC East titles) while the Jets have bumbled along? Maybe not.

And are the Jets, especially on offense, still a work in progress? Indeed, as their offensive line is still being assembled and their touted backfield combo of Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook have yet to play a snap as both are coming off offseason surgery.

The Jets defense, though - ranked fourth last season in the NFL - could be legit from the start. ... and that might loom as a challenge for the Bills that at least matches what Rodgers represents. The future Hall of Famer predicts the Jets are ready for. ... and we're sure Buffalo feels the same way.

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Mike Fisher
MIKE FISHER

Mike Fisher - as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner - has covered the NFL since 1983. He is the author of two best-selling books on the NFL.