Aaron Rodgers has revealed that his belief in the Jets’ Super Bowl chances was a primary factor in his desire to play for the franchise.
Rodgers spoke to a litany of reporters from the auditorium of the team’s Florham Park facility Wednesday afternoon, just minutes after his Green Bay Packers trade was confirmed.
‘I am an old man. So I want to be part of a team that can win anything. I believe this is a place where we can pull it off,” Rodgers said of the Jets’ Super Bowl chances.
“I noticed when I came in this morning that the Super Bowl III trophy looks a little lonely…I really believe this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Rodgers said it was a “surreal day” and that he “believes in this team,” coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas.
The New York Jets will soon acquire future Hall of Famer, 39-year-old, 4x MVP, Aaron Rodgers
The Jets’ next hope showed off his new jersey in front of a crowd of reporters at the NYJ facility
The 39-year-old admitted that “a big reason” he was in New York was Nathaniel Hackett, New York’s new offensive coordinator. Rodgers also cited Saleh’s influence.
Rodgers represents the Jets’ best hope of reaching the playoffs since 2010 and admitted he is excited to play for the “incredible, passionate” Gang Green fanbase.
Earlier on Wednesday, the four-time MVP made his first appearance in Jets swag when the team’s social media account registered him arriving in Florham Park, NJ. facility.
News broke Monday night that New York and Green Bay had finally agreed on a trade for the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer.
The trade, which just became official, sees the Jets receive not only Rodgers, but the Packers’ No. 15 pick and a fifth-round pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft.
When asked how long he will be the Jets’ quarterback, Rodgers admitted that his focus is on this season.
“I’ll be here for the foreseeable future… Right now I’m just going to focus on this season and I’m excited to be here,” he said.
In return, Green Bay acquired the Jets’ 13th overall draft pick, plus the second and sixth rounds, along with a conditional pick for the 2024 second round, which will be a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of snaps this season .
Rodgers credited the influences of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh as crucial to the move
Woody Johnson said it was a ‘lucky day’ to be the owner, but also for the hungry Jets fanbase
Green Bay posted a long-standing tribute to their former star quarterback, who clinched a Super Bowl title in just his third season in the post-Favre era.
“Aaron had an incredible career with the Packers,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. During a team-record 18 years, he brought our fans joy with a Super Bowl championship, countless thrilling wins and breathtaking quarterback play.
“He made playing quarterback look easy. As great as he is, what stands out the most to me is his toughness – his willingness to play through pain. He will undoubtedly be a first-round Hall of Famer.
“We were proud to have had him as the leader of our team through his impact on the pitch, in the dressing room and in the community.
“We wish Aaron well in New York and look forward to welcoming him back to Green Bay to retire his number 12, celebrate his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame, and get his name on the facade of Lambeau Field. to reveal.’
Rodgers has parted ways with Green Bay as he heads to the Big Apple to complete his HOF career
Rodgers has followed the path laid out by Brett Favre (L), who played for Green Bay and NYJ
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst added: We are eternally grateful for everything Aaron has given the Packers over the past 18 years.
While he will no doubt be remembered as one of the greatest players in our franchise’s storied history for all of his on-field accomplishments, it is his competitive greatness, leadership and toughness that make him such a special player and person.
“The daily expectations he placed on himself and his teammates played a major role in everything we accomplished during a special era of Packers football.
“We wish Aaron nothing but success and look forward to welcoming him back to Green Bay and celebrating his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the future.”
Jets general manager Joe Douglas explained Tuesday that he was “comfortable” with what he had given up to reunite the franchise with a quarterback of historic proportions — not seen since the acquisition of Rodgers’ predecessor Brett Favre.
In an eerily similar version of events, the Packers traded a 39-year-old Favre to the Jets in 2008. Rodgers spoke about that at Wednesday’s conference.
“It’s kind of ironic that our path has taken another step in the same direction,” he said. “We haven’t specifically discussed this possibility.”
Try as his oh-so-loyal fans might, even those who bleed green can’t convince themselves that these are the same old Jets. There may be little need for Ayahuasca to dream since they now have Aaron Charles Rodgers.