Aaron Rodgers’ time with the Inexperienced Bay Packers got here to an finish when he was traded to the New York Jets after months of hypothesis.
Shortly earlier than Rodgers formally grew to become a member of Gang Inexperienced, Allen Lazard signed with the Jets in March. Lazard spent 5 years with Rodgers in Inexperienced Bay. On Thursday, Lazard and Rodgers have been again working collectively on a soccer observe soccer discipline on the Jets coaching facility.
This week marked the following step in a brand new chapter of Rodgers’ storied soccer profession, and Rodgers was effectively conscious of how “totally different” this yr’s coaching camp is for him.
“Every little thing is totally different,” Rodgers mentioned. “Nineteen years in, there’s been a variety of coaching camps — all of them at 1265 Lombardi. Exhibiting up at 1 Jets Drive was a bit totally different.”
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, #8, participates in a drill on the NFL soccer groups coaching facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Picture/Seth Wenig)
Rodgers spent his first 18 NFL seasons in with the Packers, profitable a Tremendous Bowl and 4 league MVP awards alongside the best way.
JETS’ AARON RODGERS REVEALS FEELINGS TOWARD ‘HARD KNOCKS’ FEATURE: ‘THEY FORCED IT DOWN OUR THROATS’
Now, he’s enjoying for a franchise that has made it to the NFL’s largest recreation simply as soon as, and that was again when Joe Namath led the Jets to a surprising win over the Baltimore Colts in 1969.
Rodgers acknowledges the additional consideration now positioned on a crew that has not certified for the postseason in 12 years. After his first coaching camp observe with the Jets, he’s pacing himself amid all of the hype.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, #8, participates in a drill on the NFL soccer crew’s coaching facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Picture/Seth Wenig)
“Yeah, it’s spectacular,” Rodgers mentioned. “I imply, that’s what you need. You need to be part of a spot that has excessive expectations. And there’s a variety of positivity round right here, which I feel is an efficient factor.”
Rodgers mentioned when he joined the Jets, he got here to New York to win and at last give that “lonely” — as he described it — Tremendous Bowl trophy a companion. His teammates have adopted go well with, with a number of saying that’s the objective yearly, and so they shouldn’t be afraid to let everybody understand it.
“I’m not going to beat across the bush, man: We need to win the Tremendous Bowl,” large receiver Garrett Wilson mentioned. “You don’t make the strikes like we did except you need to get there. You realize that’s the mindset.”
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, #8, through the groups OTAs at Atlantic Well being Jets Coaching Heart on June 9, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Wealthy Schultz/Getty Photographs)
Rodgers has actually skilled his justifiable share of ups and downs all through his prolonged profession. He careworn the significance of taking a affected person strategy for the early parts of coaching camp.
“I really feel like I’ve grown rather a lot over time,” Rodgers mentioned. “I feel it’s at all times essential to have persistence in shorts and helmets, so persistence the primary few days of camp. Generally the persistence can put on skinny if it’s repeat errors, however we’re simply constructing this factor proper now. We need to construct the correct manner.
“And, yeah, I might say perhaps earlier in my profession, I used to be a bit extra simply angered, and I really feel like I’m rather less triggered as I’ve gotten older.”
Rodgers additionally appears to have taken on a brand new position since he joined the — being an on the sector trainer for his teammates.
“He’s a coach that may nonetheless play soccer,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh mentioned.
Lazard has additionally taken discover of how in another way the veteran sign caller goes about issues in New York, as he builds a rapport with new teammates.
“He’s taking his time,” Lazard mentioned. “I’m seeing it. I’m seeing how a lot he cares for these guys and the way a lot he actually simply desires to place the icing on the cake so far as his profession.”
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Even earlier than Rodgers joined the Jets, his potential retirement grew to become a subject of dialog. When his commerce to the Jets grew to become official, many nonetheless questioned if he would name is quits after just one season in New York.
Nevertheless, Rodgers not too long ago hinted that intends to play past the 2023 season.
“I really like being across the younger power, that pleasure,” Rodgers mentioned. “There’s an important really feel to this crew of fellows who’re younger and tremendous gifted on their first contract. … When you’ve gotten so many nice gamers on rookie offers, it’s fairly thrilling understanding you are able to do one thing, you’ve bought an excellent window.
“You realize it’s not only a one-year factor the place you will be aggressive, which is enjoyable.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
