New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers seems peeved by HC’s remarks about preseason playing time

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Aug 1, 2024 9:59 AM ET

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is likely champing at the bit to get back on the field and play in a live game again, even if it’s just a few drives in the preseason.

But head coach Robert Saleh has a different plan in mind for his QB, recently telling reporters he likely plans to hold Rodgers out of at least two of New York’s three preseason games so he’s healthy for the team’s Week 1 opener against the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football” — a plan that didn’t seem to sit right with the 40-year-old signal-caller.

“That’s Robert’s decision [but] I never told him I don’t want to play in the preseason,” Rodgers said, via SNY. “…I don’t have any restrictions. I’m doing keepers, rollouts. It was news to me when he said I wasn’t going to play in the first two, but we hadn’t even had a conversation about that.”

Jets reporters @eallenjets, @EGreenbergJets, and @cghendy are joined by @RapSheet today discussing Aaron Rodgers and all things training camp.

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Although Saleh hasn’t officially closed the door on Rodgers playing in the preseason finale against the New York Giants on Aug. 24, it seems the four-time NFL MVP won’t see the field against either the Washington Commanders on Aug. 10 or Carolina Panthers on Aug. 17.

“My instinct is [he won’t play in the preseason] but I want to leave it open,” Saleh told reporters. “But that third game is the one where we’re deciding. He definitely won’t play the first two, but the discussion on the third one, we just haven’t quite had yet.”

Rodgers is fully healthy and cleared by doctors for any and all football-related activity after tearing his Achilles in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills last season.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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