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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers walked into the Jets’ facility on Wednesday for his introductory information convention to applause from staffers after they watched a montage of his highlights from his 18-year tenure with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Rodgers, the quarterback for whom the Jets traded this week after a prolonged negotiation course of, had landed in New Jersey the night time earlier than. On Wednesday morning, he attended conferences with Jets officers whereas barefoot, Coach Robert Saleh mentioned. Rodgers additionally walked previous a case holding the workforce’s solely Tremendous Bowl trophy, which the Jets received within the 1968 season, and mentioned he observed it was “getting lonely.”
Rodgers appeared relaxed and at dwelling throughout his first official day as a Jet, bringing optimism that one of many best quarterbacks of the fashionable period can restore success to a franchise within the N.F.L.’s largest market. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, proudly owning the longest postseason drought in main North American males’s skilled sports activities, however the workforce and Rodgers hope that his arrival — even towards the top of his profession — will finish that streak.
“I’m an outdated man, so I need to be a part of a workforce that may win all of it, and I consider that it is a place the place we get that completed,” mentioned the 39-year-old Rodgers.
The Jets and Packers formally agreed to commerce phrases on Wednesday after information of the deal broke on Monday. The Jets despatched the No. 13 total decide on this yr’s draft, in addition to two later-round picks and a conditional second-round decide within the 2024 N.F.L. draft, in alternate for Rodgers, the No. 15 decide and a later-round decide on this yr’s draft. The primary spherical begins Thursday in Kansas Metropolis, Mo.
Rodgers received a Tremendous Bowl, appeared in 4 different N.F.C. championship video games and received the Most Helpful Participant Award 4 instances whereas with the Packers. However he grew disgruntled with the franchise over the previous two seasons due to a perceived lack of enter over personnel selections, amongst different grievances. Rodgers alluded to his strained relationship with the Packers on Wednesday when he blamed poor cellphone reception at his dwelling as a cause he had not communicated with Inexperienced Bay officers this low season.
After the Packers completed 8-9 final season and missed the playoffs, Rodgers contemplated retiring. A cadre of Jets executives in March — together with Saleh, the workforce proprietor Woody Johnson and Common Supervisor Joe Douglas — visited Rodgers in Malibu, Calif., and that dialog helped sway Rodgers to affix the Jets, he mentioned.
“At that time, I felt like that is the place I used to be imagined to be,” Rodgers mentioned. “I actually attempt to hearken to the indicators and synchronicities that the universe places in our face day-after-day, and this was mainly the course that every part was pointing.”
Later in March, Rodgers appeared on the previous N.F.L. punter Pat McAfee’s present and mentioned he meant to play for the Jets. Within the weeks after, Douglas and Brian Gutekunst, the Packers’ basic supervisor, publicly mentioned they wished to finalize a deal, however negotiations stretched over six weeks because the groups’ entrance workplaces stalemated over compensation. Rodgers, although, mentioned he was assured the commerce would get completed.
“I believed it was going to occur all the time, it was only a matter of, I believe, ready one another out,” Rodgers mentioned. He added: “I consider there was some main synchronization to make this occur, however I’m excited concerning the alternative right here.”
Rodgers performed beneath Nathaniel Hackett, who was employed because the Jets’ offensive coordinator in January, for 3 seasons in Inexperienced Bay, and he mentioned their sturdy bond was one other promoting level for becoming a member of the Jets.
The Jets’ roster additionally consists of final season’s offensive rookie of the yr, receiver Garrett Wilson, and the defensive rookie of the yr, cornerback Sauce Gardner — two gamers who had brazenly recruited Rodgers. Gardner and different gamers modified their social media profile footage to a photograph of Rodgers in faculty, and Gardner additionally videotaped himself burning a Packers cheesehead hat in Rodgers’s honor.
The Jets’ 2022 season began promisingly at 6-3, behind a stout operating sport and one of many league’s greatest defenses. However inefficient play from quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 total decide within the 2021 N.F.L. draft, prompted Saleh to bench him with seven video games left within the season. With that instability beneath middle and vital accidents, most notably to the rookie operating again Breece Corridor, the Jets completed 7-10 and missed the playoffs.
Rodgers mentioned he hopes to be a mentor to Zach Wilson, with whom he had a earlier friendship, and to be a pacesetter within the locker room. Saleh mentioned Rodgers must be a stabilizing presence, and that his selection of the Jets was validation that the franchise is efficiently rebuilding itself.
“Clearly you possibly can argue that our arrow’s pointing up,” Saleh mentioned.
Rodgers mentioned he envisioned being with the Jets previous this season, however mentioned he didn’t need to concentrate on the longer term. His agent, David Dunn, attended the information convention, and Rodgers mentioned he and the Jets would restructure his contract. However for nevertheless lengthy Rodgers stays a Jet, Johnson mentioned he can be content material.
“With no matter he desires to do, we’re good,” Johnson mentioned. “We’re so glad he’s right here. That is transformative.”
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