Jets QB Aaron Rodgers confirms major reason he joined team

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers seemingly confirmed a previous claim about why and when he first considered joining the New York Jets from the Green Bay Packers this offseason. 

As shared by Logan Mullen of Audacy, Rodgers explained during a Tuesday appearance on the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" program that "the Jets were always the team that was most interesting to me" during his process in part "because of the way they whooped our a-- last year." 

Interestingly, former Jets quarterback and current WFAN host Boomer Esiason said last month that the Packers' 27-10 loss to Gang Green at Lambeau Field last October played a role in Rodgers ultimately choosing to relocate to the Big Apple this past spring. 

Esiason was also correct about Rodgers giving the Jets a multi-year commitment via a massive pay cut that has allowed the organization to pursue other talents such as star running back Dalvin Cook.

"I thought this was going to be a good ballclub, but it’s really been better than I could have expected," Rodgers added about what he's thus far experienced since late April. "It feels like sometimes that I woke up inside of a dream and that this is my life playing out. I've pinched myself various times throughout the week every single week that I’ve been here. Like how cool is my life right now? How special is this?" 

Many expect the 2023 Jets to be "special" in multiple ways. As of Tuesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Jets as fourth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVIII. To compare, the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs topped the list at that time at +350 odds. 

"To walk in with a lot of respect from the guys and to now start the friendships that we’ve made with various guys on the team and then to just be a part of something special that has a chance," Rodgers added about the many relationships he's already built over the past handful of months. "Late in your career to be able to come into work every day and know you have a chance to be in the mix in February is a special feeling." 

Back in April, Rodgers noted that "universal signs and synchronicities" led him to accept a trade from the Packers to the Jets. 

While he hasn't yet taken a meaningful snap as New York's QB1, it sounds like he remains pleased with his career decision ahead of this coming Saturday's preseason matchup versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium.