Aaron Rodgers plans to be a Jet for the foreseeable future: 'This isn't a one-and-done in my mind'
How long will Aaron Rodgers play for the Jets?
That was the top question entering his introductory news conference on Wednesday and the new Jets quarterback gave a firm answer about his intentions for beyond 2023.
Rodgers, who had seriously considered retirement, at first explained that he is staying focused on the upcoming season and getting to know his new teammates when asked if he had committed to playing more than one year for the Jets.
“Right now I’m just gonna focus on this season,” Rodgers said, as he pivoted his answer to his plans for this offseason.
“I’m excited about being here. I expect to be here for the duration of the offseason and I’m excited to get to know my new teammates and the coaching staff and the organization,” Rodgers said. “Obviously I have a background with [offensive coordinator Nathaniel] Hackett and that offensive, but I’m excited about just diving in and being a part of this group and getting to know some of the names of my teammates.”
But, later, in a scrum with reporters, the QB reiterated his desire now is to play in New York beyond this upcoming season.
“This isn’t a one-and-done in my mind," Rodgers said.
When Rodgers was asked during the news conference if he gave the Jets organization a commitment to playing beyond this season – given the level of draft capital the team dealt to acquire him – he declined to reveal any specifics.
“There wasn’t any specific conversation that I would like to share with that,” Rodgers said.
“Again, I’m an older player, so there’s a lot more to just the playing part, there’s also the body part that comes into play,” he said. “But the reason I take care of myself is to allow myself to continue to play into my 40s. I had always dreamt about being a starter at 40, I’ll turn 40 in December of this year. But I’m gonna be here for the foreseeable future.”
When asked about his motivations to continue playing, Rodgers said, “It’s joy.”
“You know you wanna be having fun with what you're doing,” he said. “If you’re not enjoying it, then it’s time to do something else. And I think the opportunity to work with Nathaniel again, to work with Robert [Saleh], to be around Joe [Douglas], be around the Johnsons [ownership group] and the vision they have for the team. I think the excitement of a new chapter has really been fueling my offseason workouts so far. And just the overall excitement level.”
He added: “To be a part of something special is what keeps you coming back and I think this is building right now. And what coach’s done the past few years, he’s building something special the right way with the right values, the right type of leadership, and I think I can just fit in perfectly. I’m not here to be a savior of any kind. I’m just here to be the best quarterback I can be. To lead authentically and to inspire the guys around me to raise their level of play to an even greater spot.”
