Rodgers' Wisdom, Presence Being Felt throughout Jets' Locker Room

Gang Green teammates and coaches speak about the future Hall-of-Fame QB's approach to work and his effect on the franchise

© Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

It goes beyond his ability to fire 50-yard darts even when nursing a minor calf injury.

It goes beyond the fact that Aaron Rodgers at his worst is better than anything the New York Jets had at quarterback last year.

Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, should make the Jets' offense into a more productive unit when the games begin in September, but his presence alone has already altered the organization's entire aura.

The old wise one, who spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, has made his presence felt in just one month's time in Florham Park. 

"Just his presence, you know what I mean, is motivating in itself," said veteran offensive tackle Duane Brown after a May 31 OTAs practice. "I've played against him so many times in my career. You see it up close and you know what he's capable of. I'm very grateful to be a part of this time, the feel and the vibe that we have with him here."

Jets' head coach Robert Saleh noticed the immediate impact that Rodgers made during his first week of OTAs participation.

"I’ve never been around a quarterback quite like him, personally, and all his experience," said Saleh on May 5. "His communication, every play, just talking to the receivers, talking to the backs, his demeanor in the meetings, all of that stuff. He practically is another coach out there, he’s pretty impressive."

Rodgers has added a welcome dynamic to Gang Green's offensive meeting room, too. 

"Meetings," said tight end C.J. Uzomah. "Meetings is the biggest, is where we feel his presence the most, because it's not just someone talking to you. It's, 'Hey, we're gonna stop for a second and talk about this,' just so we're all on the same page."

Saleh has noticed the meeting room activity, too.

"Just sitting in meetings and having him be vocal about his cadence and the way he wants to operate within the offense as a quarterback calling the signals, the relationship he has with [offensive coordinator Nathaniel] Hackett," said Saleh prior to practice on May 23.

"The best coached teams are the teams that coach themselves."

- Tom Izzo (- Robert Saleh) pic.twitter.com/blt5HpBAnk

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 31, 2023

Rodgers' knowledge, and his willingness to share it during meetings, caught running back Breece Hall's attention.

"He really knows the offense like the back of his hand," said Hall. "You feel that sense of calm, but you also know you’ve got to be on your stuff because he expects you to be in this spot because you know he’s going to get you the ball if you’re in the right place."

Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, a former 10-year NFL veteran, noted that not every star signal caller employs the same approach as Rodgers.

"I’ve been around a lot of superstars in this league that are standoffish, that are very isolated, do their own thing," said Ulbrich. "He’s as inclusive as I’ve ever been around, especially for a player of that caliber. Constantly giving us feedback about what he sees on us defensively." 

Rodgers' arrival has visibly energized the entire Jets organization.

"It's lit, man. It's a great energy around the building," said cornerback D.J. Reed. "It wasn't just the players that I felt the energy from. I felt it from all the staff. Everybody was just happy, had a smile on their face." 

On the field, Rodgers, a future Hall-of-Famer, has a rare ability that separates him from other pro quarterbacks. 

"AR, he can make crazy throws that a lot of quarterbacks can't, and the ball placement, where he puts the ball at for the receiver to get, it's pretty crazy at times. That's what I'd say that he does elite," said Reed.

Rodgers has passed for more than 4,000 yards in five of his last seven seasons with three of those 4K campaigns happening with Nathaniel Hackett as Green Bay's offensive coordinator.

In 2022, Rodgers finished below his career averages statistically, but still managed to produce respectable numbers. He threw for 3,695 yards and 26 touchdowns while being picked off 12 times. 

"He's a first ballot Hall-of-Famer," said Brown. "A guy who's still playing at an extremely high level."

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