(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 acquire him in April.
For the occasion, the Jets tweeted 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 photo was accompanied by the message: “This is not a photo generated by artificial intelligence”.
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 DJ 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 the 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, however, are high for the Jets.
“Obviously we have a big name with Aaron Rodgers,” linebacker CJ Mosley said. And on his first day here you can feel […] feverishness. »
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.
Rodgers made it clear he was in New York to win, and the goal was still the Super Bowl, during a press conference in April. It would be a big leap forward for a team that hasn’t tasted the playoffs in so long.
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 good 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 MVP awards; the second seasons of cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, 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, on winning the Super Bowl — like every other NFL team. »
The odds for the Jets to win the Super Bowl are 16 to 1 according to FanDuel. Only six teams are ahead of them: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, 49ers of San Francisco and the 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 have to stay focused, with our feet on the ground, and get through this camp one day at a time. »