Aaron Rodgers’ first season as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets lasted just a handful of plays.
Speaking before what he hopes will be a much more productive 2024 NFL season, the veteran quarterback shared some bitter truth: If he does not live up to the standards he has set for himself, he and probably everyone else in the building will be out of work.
Rodgers addressed the media during OTAs on Wednesday, and the quarterback did not pull any punches when it came to the expectations that he has for himself, and the potential ramifications if he falls short of those expectations.
“Well, I think if if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, then we’re all probably gonna be out of here,” said Rodgers on Wednesday.
“So I like that kind of pressure though.”
Rodgers made his highly-anticipated debut for the Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 1 last season, but suffered an Achilles injury after just three plays, ending his season before it even had a chance to really begin. Now Rodgers is back, and expectations are high for the Jets, including in league offices. The Jets again open on Monday Night Football this year, against the San Francisco 49ers.
All told the Jets have six prime time games, as well as a game in London, before their bye week.
Returning to his comments Wednesday, Rodgers indicated that he relishes the opportunity to play in the New York media market, and with those expectations.
“It’s a tough market to play [in]. It’s not for everybody. I relish that opportunity and that’s the way the NFL is,” continued Rodgers, before bringing up the end of his run in Green Bay with the Packers.
“This is how it is every single year. I might, you might not say it, but as you get older in the league, if you don’t perform, they’re gonna get rid of you or bring in the next guy to take over.
“I mean, it happened in Green Bay. And I’m, you know, a few years older than I was back then.
Still, Rodgers expected to live up to those expectations.
“So I expect to play at a high level. I expect us to be productive and competitive, and all that stuff to take care of itself.”
You can see his full comments here:
Rodgers believes in himself and the Jets heading into 2024. However, if he does not live up to those expectations, Rodgers knows that he, and a lot of other people in the building, will likely be looking for work this winter.
