First look at Aaron Rodgers in action as the New York Jets quarterback
OTAs started Monday for the New York Jets, providing fans a moment they’ve been waiting all offseason for, a first look at new quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a Jets helmet.
Rodgers was acquired by the Jets from the Green Bay Packers through a trade on April 24 leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, sending the future Hall of Fame quarterback to a new team for the first time in his 18-year NFL career.
Since landing in New York, Rodgers has been seen courtside at New York Knicks playoff games and at New York Rangers hockey games with teammates, but not yet in a Jets uniform. The 39-year-old may have been sporting a red jersey in practice instead of Jets green, white, and black, but looked pretty spry during day one of OTAs, scoring a rushing touchdown that can be seen below.
Rodgers fooled the cameraman not once, but twice with two of his signature pump fakes before scampering toward the pylon and sneaking into the end zone for a touchdown. His red jersey and trademark one-strap chinstrap not being strapped in make it clear that he did not have to worry about any contact on the play, but he did reach the end zone untouched.
Rodgers is coming off of a career-low 94 rushing yards last season since being an NFL starter, a number that has steadily decreased since 2016. But maybe he’s found the fountain of youth in New York, and we may see a more mobile version of the veteran quarterback in comparison to recent history.
His presence at OTAs is pivotal for the Jets as they enter their first season with Rodgers under center. Last offseason for the Packers, Rodgers opted out of the team’s voluntary Organized Team Activities despite losing his No. 1 target from the previous season Davante Adams and gaining a group of young receiver talent.
Not partaking in Green Bay’s OTAs didn’t age well, as Rodgers had one of the worst statistical seasons of his career and the Packers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Targets like Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Marcedes Lewis may be familiar with Rodgers, but other pass catchers like Garrett Wilson, Mecole Hardman, and others are not, and them building chemistry this offseason already that did not exist in Green Bay last season is definitely a promising sign for the New York Jets organization.