Aaron Rodgers Brings Super Bowl Aspirations to Gang Green

The New York Jets’ new starting quarterback want to be ‘a part of something special’

It’s been awhile since Broadway Joe Namath and his successful Super Bowl III guarantee.

Men hadn’t even walked on the moon yet.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers admittedly grew up watching VHS tapes chronicling the old days when the Super Bowl was in its infancy.

Traded to the Jets after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, the 39-year old signal caller sounded excited at the possibilities in his new home.

“I’m an old guy, so I want to be part of a team that can win it all. I believe that this is a place we can get that done,” said Rodgers during his official introductory press conference on April 26.

The four-time NFL Most Valuable Players appeared well aware of the current situation in Florham Park.

“Twelve years without the playoffs, not a Super Bowl win since Super Bowl III, it’s been a long time,” said Rodgers, who will likely be a first-ball Hall-of-Famer.

“The Jets have an incredible, passionate fanbase. I saw that last year at Lambeau. I think that’s an exciting draw to this as well, being a part of something special,” said Rodgers. “I noticed walking in this morning that the Super Bowl III trophy is looking a little lonely.”

Looking back at the early stage of the process that landed him with the Jets, Rodgers alluded to his darkness retreat and what transpired in the days after emerging from seclusion. 

“My intention coming out of the darkness was to pursue this opportunity and I enjoyed the meeting,” said Rodgers. “[Team owners] Woody and Christopher [Johnson] came out, these two guys [Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas], Hack [Nathaniel Hackett], Hymie [Elhai]. I just got a great feel with all those guys, about the possibility.”

The Jets’ contingent flew out to Southern California to meet with Rodgers on March 7. Then, on March 15, Rodgers made a guest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show and said, “I would like to play in New York.”

The cerebral signal caller unveiled more information on his decision while sitting at the dais in Florham Park.

“As I leaned into it, getting back into some more strenuous workouts, I just really believed that this was where I was supposed to be,” said Rodgers. “There was some major synchronization to make this happen, but I’m excited about the opportunity here. I always believed this was possible.” 

Rodgers is reunited with two important figures at 1 Jets Drive. 

He thrived while working with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett during a three-year stretch in Green Bay. Then, there's receiver Allen Lazard, who evolved from an undrafted free agent to the Packers' top target with Rodgers as the quarterback.

In the three years (2019-21) that Hackett was making the offensive play calls for the Cheeseheads, Rodgers accounted for 111 touchdown passes and only 13 interceptions over 48 regular season games. He exceeded the 4,000-yard passing mark in all three seasons. 

In 2022, Lazard led Green Bay in receptions (60) and receiving yards (788). 

Rodgers fielded a question about how soon before he hits the practice field with his old buddies. 

"Does tomorrow count? Yeah, tomorrow. I’ll be in there tomorrow," said Rodgers on Wednesday. 

Acting like a man of his word, one of the NFL's all-time leading passers was present at the team facility on Thursday morning. At 10:32 am ET, the Jets' social media team tweeted out a video clip of Rodgers throwing a pass to Lazard. 

Getting right to it. @AaronRodgers12 ✈️ @AllenLazard pic.twitter.com/PxJ9NwpNgP

— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 27, 2023

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