Aaron Rodgers hits out at ‘s***bags’ who created his ‘selfish’ reputation, claims Hard Knocks enabled fans to see ‘the real him’ – and opens up on his ‘brand new slate’ with New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers has taken aim at the ‘s***bags’ who have tarnished his reputation as the quarterback prepares for his long-awaited debut for the New York Jets.

The 39-year-old is enjoying a “new chapter” after nearly two decades with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets kick off their 2023 season against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

Rodgers has long been a polarizing figure and, among other things, has a reputation for being “selfish.”

However, during this preseason, Rodgers has improved his public image – thanks in part to the Hard Knocks cameras that have been following the Jets in recent months.

The quarterback is grateful that the show has given fans a glimpse of who he “always was” – compared to the image that has developed over the years.

The 39-year-old is enjoying a “new chapter” in New York after nearly two decades in Green Bay

“Some motherfuckers have painted a certain image of me that probably isn’t rooted in much truth,” Rodgers told Fox Sports.

‘I built up a reputation for a while… a lot of people tried to jump on me. It didn’t work, you couldn’t stop me. And I’m grateful that people see me.

‘This isn’t the new me, I wasn’t acting for a TV show, I was just who I always am. It was the first time in 19 years that anyone had captured it this way.”

He added: “This is a new chapter, I’ve had a brand new slate, letting these guys know who I am – my leadership style, my energy, me being me. I never had the chance to play at Hard Knocks.’

But Rodgers was initially skeptical about his performance on the show. ‘I certainly was. “I just found it super distracting and difficult for guys to be authentic,” he said.

“But I found the experience really nice, not invasive.”

‘I’ve built a reputation. Many people tried to jump on top of me. It didn’t work,” Rodgers said

All eyes will be on the quarterback when the Bills visit Metlife Stadium on Monday night. The four-time MVP believes the Jets are one of about a dozen teams with a real chance to make the Super Bowl and admitted there will be “a lot of butterflies” during the game.

“It makes you feel alive,” he said.

“It’s just been a new chapter, that (Packer’s) chapter has closed. it was a beautiful… there are definitely more eyes on us, a lot of people jumping on the bandwagon – which I love.

“A lot of people are ready to shoot. It is exciting. We love all the support, we welcome all the skepticism, it really is an exciting time to be a New York Jet and Jets fan.”