Last spring, the New York Jets acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers and were largely viewed as Super Bowl contenders because of it.
Or, at the very least, they were considered a “Super Bowl or bust” team.
Well, on the Jets’ first offensive series of the regular season, Rodgers tore his Achilles, instantly ending New York’s championship aspirations.
It was obviously a rough year for Rodgers, but he is choosing to hold a positive outlook on everything and explained why during a recent appearance on the Official Jets Podcast.
"I'm thankful for the lessons I learned in the [rehab] process and, hopefully, it made me a better teammate, better person, better quarterback in the long run."
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 22, 2024
watch @AaronRodgers12 on The Official Jets Podcast ➡️ https://t.co/ILTjhEC2dJ pic.twitter.com/VHEptLF0RU
“So many beautiful things came out of this that I am thankful for that only could have happened had things gone down the way they did,” Rodgers said. “Maybe that’s the right perspective to have in life.”
Rodgers thanked his teammates and the people close to him for helping get him through the process, and now, Rodgers is back on the field for offseason activities.
The 40-year-old is not only well on track to play in Week 1, but he apparently looks great and is very motivated to prove all of his doubters wrong next season.
New York has done a terrific job of supplying Rodgers with more talent this offseason, adding some more weapons while also addressing what was previously a miserable offensive line. Not only that, but the Jets swung a trade to acquire elite pass rusher Haason Reddick, buttressing a defense that was already one of the league’s best.
Of course, Gang Green still needs to go out and prove it on the field, but there is no question that New York boasts one of the most talented rosters in football.
Right now, the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs have to be considered the favorites in the AFC. You also have teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans who will be vying with the Chiefs for conference supremacy.
The Jets are on the outskirts right now, because we still don’t know how Rodgers is going to look after having not really played meaningful football in well over a year.
However, if Rodgers is able to regain his Green Bay Packers form and New York is able to stay healthy as a whole, the Jets will be one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL this coming season.
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