His old team is going to the playoffs, and Aaron Rodgers insists he plans to use the next nine months to prepare for the next game that counts with the New York Jets.
Head coach Robert Saleh praised Rodgers, who was recognized as the most inspirational teammate, for his energy and focus as the franchise heads into the offseason.
“Stick with us. We want to be the team holding that trophy,” Rodgers said Monday. “I look forward to building the excitement again — and hopefully we’ll have more fortune next year. We are close. We have a core group of really solid guys. We need some pieces.”
Saleh said Rodgers, recovering from a torn Achilles in September, spent December “carving up the scout team” and could have played in a meaningful game this month if the Jets were in a better position.
Rodgers declined to discuss his comments about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel last week, instead inviting viewers to tune in to his weekly paid interview with ESPN’s Pat McAfee on Tuesday.
“I’m going to talk about it tomorrow on the show,” he said.
The Jets went 7-10 in 2023 for the second consecutive season. Their last playoff appearance was at the end of the 2010 season, when the Jets lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rodgers turned 40 in December and spent much of the season, which he said Monday felt like “a lost year,” as a sounding board for backup Zach Wilson. But Rodgers doesn’t necessarily believe a return for Wilson next season is in his best interest.
“Sometimes a change of scenery can be a breath of fresh air,” he said.
Rodgers said he’s willing to lend a hand recruiting free agents again if general manager Joe Douglas wants an assist. From his perspective, the Jets need work on the offensive line and Saleh said another playmaker at wide receiver is “very important” to take defensive focus away from Garrett Wilson.
But Rodgers doesn’t doubt the “scheme” or offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and described New York as being “close” as contenders in 2024.
“I’d like this to be more than just next year,” he said.
