21 July 2023 , 20:59
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Aaron Rodgers has only publicly committed to playing the 2023 season with the New York Jets, but head coach Robert Saleh would be "shocked" if he didn't see out the remainder of his contract.
After signing a bumper $150 million (£116.7m) three-year deal with the Green Bay Packers in March 2022, Rodgers traded to the Jets this offseason to move away from Lambeau Field for the very first time. All talk heading into the 2023 season has been about Rodgers and the Jets, but both the quarterback and his new coach seem confident that their partnership could continue past that.
The Jets have the best opportunity possible to end their ongoing playoff drought, with the team last making the postseason in 2010 when Rodgers won his only Super Bowl trophy with the Packers. It's been disappointment since then in New York, but with Rodgers and an exciting young roster it could be a year to remember.
Saleh made a public plea for a 'veteran quarterback' before landing Rodgers, and now that he's got him it's expected the coach will do all he can to keep the four-time NFL MVP. But it sounds like there won't be much convincing as both player and coach are on the same page.
"I don't want to back him into a corner and make him commit to something like that," Saleh said after practice on Friday. "I just want him to have fun and know that when he walks in this building to let loose and have a little bit of fun, B.S. with the guys, come in the office, come talk to us and just enjoy playing football.
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"Odds are, if you enjoy playing football, you're going to want to keep doing it. I wouldn't put pressure on him to commit to something like that anyway, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't play multiple years. He looks like a little kid out there."
Rodgers has barely been seen without a smile on his face as Jets practice, and even at the age of 39 the experience is new for him. Rodgers has been with the Packers ever since being drafted in 2005, and was their starting quarterback from 2008.
Aaron Rodgers seems to already be loving life at the New York Jets (AP)The veteran will turn 40 during the 2023 season, and will be 41 by the time his current contract comes to an end. But Rodgers gave a massive hint as to where his head is at, after initially teasing retirement at the end of last season before leaving the Packers.
"When you have so many great players on rookie deals, it's pretty exciting, knowing you can do something," Rodgers said. "You've got a good window. It's not just a one-year thing where you can be competitive, which is fun."
Tom Brady retired at the age of 45, and while Rodgers may not play for that long, he could potentially sign a new deal once his current contract is up. Rodgers did state before joining the Jets that he wants to win another MVP award, and if he's successful then it's likely that the Jets' long wait for success will be over.