Marquez Valdes-Scantling discusses if Jets' Aaron Rodgers is a 'diva'

Free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling defended former teammate and current New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers while speaking with CBS Sports Radio's Zach Gelb on Thursday. 

"Man, he's one of the greatest you'll ever find," Valdes-Scantling said about Rodgers, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "He cares more about his teammates than about the game of football. You know, I think that's something that people really don't understand. Because people get this perception of him that he's this diva or all about himself, that's the furthest thing from the truth."

Valdes-Scantling played alongside Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers from 2018 through the 2021 season until the 29-year-old signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in March 2022. 

It was less than one year ago before Rodgers officially joined the Jets from the Packers when he reportedly gave Gang Green "a wish list of free agents he'd like them to pursue and acquire." 

One will never know how Rodgers would've played with such talents last fall, as he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles four offensive snaps into his official Jets debut. 

As recently as last week, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic mentioned how Rodgers had a positive impact on the Jets' locker room before his injury. It was previously reported that Rodgers' relationship with at least backup signal-caller Zach Wilson "soured" during the 2023 campaign. 

"Aaron has taught me so much on and off the field," Valdes-Scantling added during the interview. "He's a big advocate of mental health and how you approach life, not just football. The things that he's gone through over the years, he shares that and kind of just lets you know, like, 'Hey, I'm human too' … Just for him to be able to open that up and be a great friend to me, not even just a teammate, I'm forever indebted to him."

It's unknown if Rodgers will push the Jets to add Valdes-Scantling to the roster at any point between now and Week 1. However, what is clear is that the Jets will need the 40-year-old to stay healthy and play well throughout the 2024 season to accomplish goals that go beyond simply qualifying for the playoffs. 

It's thought that Jets owner Woody Johnson could completely clean house if the club doesn't end the longest active postseason drought among the four major North American sports leagues in January 2025.