(Florham Park) Looks like it’s official now for the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers made his first-ever appearance Wednesday at training camp for the franchise that made the stunning deal to make his acquisition in April.
For the occasion, the Jets posted on Twitter a photo of Rodgers wearing the green and white uniform for the first time, rather than the non-contact jersey he wore during offseason practices. The snap was accompanied by the message: “This is not an AI-generated photo.”
The use of modified photos is no longer necessary. Rodgers is at camp, as are the horde of reporters.
“I won’t lie. The energy seems different,” cornerback D.J. Reed said. We really have the impression that there is more excitement this year. »
That’s the vibe at the team since general manager Joe Douglas made that deal to acquire the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player honoree from the Green Bay Packers. The Jets will thus count on the most accomplished quarterback since the Brett Favre trade in 2008.
Rodgers insisted he is not a savior. Expectations, on the other hand, are high for the Jets.
“Obviously we have a big name with Aaron Rodgers,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said. And on his first day here, you can feel […] the excitement. »
The Jets are in the midst of the longest streak in the NFL with 12 seasons without making the playoffs — a streak that seemed destined to end last year before Robert Saleh’s squad lost its final six games.
But that’s the kind of optimism that Rodgers brings. With all the attention that comes with it.
“Adding a guy like him excites everyone in general because of his background, the character he is and the man he is,” tackle Quinnen Williams said. It just creates a spark for everyone. »
Rodgers is sure to be the center of attention during camp, which will nonetheless be full of great stories.
This list includes Saleh who will try to lead the team to the playoffs in his third season; a new offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett, who oversaw the Packers’ offensive unit when Rodgers won his last two most valuable player titles; the second seasons of cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the Defensive and Offensive Rookies of the Year respectively; the return of running back Breece Hall from a knee injury and the development of quarterback Zach Wilson behind Rodgers.
“We have a purpose in life and we all have a purpose this year, personal and big goals,” Williams said. The media does not change these objectives. We’re focused on getting better every day, focused on making the playoffs, winning the Super Bowl — like every other team in the NFL. »
The odds for the Jets to win the Super Bowl are 16 to 1 according to FanDuel. Only six teams are ahead of them: the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys.
The fact that the Jets are among the favorites is different at this point in the year. And, again, it has a lot to do with Rodgers.
“When people heard the name of the New York Jets, they usually thought we were going to lose, and now when they hear the name of the Jets, they’re going to think it’s going to be an automatic Super Bowl,” Mosley said. We can’t think that way. We need to stay focused, down to earth, and get through this camp one day at a time. »