Jets' Aaron Rodgers addresses rust, injury recovery

New York Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers consistently generating off-the-field headlines could cause one to forget the 40-year-old essentially missed the entire 2023 season after he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the campaign.

Rodgers spoke with reporters on Wednesday about shaking off expected rust ahead of September.

"Not having played for an entire season really, it’s gonna take a nice training camp to feel like myself," Rodgers explained, per Steve Serby of the New York Post. "Even in the middle years of my career, I always felt like you had to reinvent yourself in training camp and figure out that rhythm that you need. ...There’s gonna be a time during training camp where it all starts to line up."

Rodgers earned Most Valuable Player Award honors for the 2020 and 2021 regular seasons before he dealt with a broken thumb on his throwing hand and a rib injury the following campaign. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished the 2022 regular season — his last with the Green Bay Packers — ranked 27th among qualified players with a 41.3 adjusted QBR.

The future Hall of Famer suggested on Wednesday he'll be fully recovered from the Achilles issue by the time the Jets open the upcoming season with a "Monday Night Football" game at the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9.

"I think it’s gonna take a little time. … I feel great," Rodgers said. "The numbers -- we track all the numbers out West where I work out and have for a decade -- my movement stuff is tracking the exact same as last year. Actually, a little bit stronger with some of the squatting stuff that we did. I just need the reps. The last five percent of being 100 percent is just the mental part."

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Rodgers as the betting favorite at +125 odds to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award this season. He made it known on Wednesday he intends "to set the standard" regarding what is expected of others throughout training camp.

"You gotta hold guys accountable," Rodgers continued. "… It can’t just be me, it’s gotta be other guys stepping up into a leadership role."

That's all well and good, but Rodgers' health and play likely will determine if the Jets end the longest active playoff drought among clubs in the top-four North American professional sports leagues come January 2025.