Quarterback Aaron Rodgers seriously considered retiring from the NFL this offseason. Before he went into his darkness retreat, he was certainly leaning in that direction but changed his mind after it. At that point, the only thing he knew for sure was that he didn’t want to play with the Green Bay Packers any longer.
After weeks of anticipation, Aaron Rodgers finally got his wish. He was eventually traded to the New York Jets, following the same route that Brett Favre took when he left the Packers near the end of his Hall of Fame career.
Since being traded to the Jets, Aaron Rodgers has seemed like a different person. He has been noticed out and about at different sporting events throughout the spring and looks to be enjoying the process of being with a new franchise.
How much is he enjoying his time with the Jets? He takes every chance to remind the media just how much fun he is having. According to Aaron Rodgers, it has been years since he has felt this way.
The transition has been made easier with some of the coaches and players who have also made the jump to New York. Wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randal Cobb both signed with the Jets this offseason along with offensive lineman Billy Turner. The coaching staff is littered with Aaron Rodgers people as well, including offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who flamed out as Denver Broncos head coach last season.
Given the supporting cast around him, there are now some expectations for the Jets heading into the 2023 season. While not everyone feels they are Super Bowl contenders, with Aaron Rodgers replacing Zach Wilson, the team should be much more competitive, at the very least.
This isn’t the first time and likely won’t be the last that some potshots are taken at the Packers. Aaron Rodgers has said all of the right things for the most part, but he isn’t someone afraid to speak his mind.
With the dog days of the NFL calendar nearly upon us, this is something that will gain some headlines until training camp and games that count for something are played in the regular season.
More must-reads: