Sports
Aaron Rodgers has played in one Super Bowl, helping Green Bay beat Pittsburgh at the end of the 2010 season
The Jets have had several tragedies and misfortunes in their history since winning Super Bowl 3 all the way back in 1969.
When they attracted veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers—the NFL’s four-time Most Valuable Player—away from the Green Bay Packers, everything was meant to change.
Both parties hope to play in another Super Bowl, but after only four games with the Jets, Rodgers had another injury that required surgery to repair his Achilles.
Now that the 40-year-old has fully healed, the Jets have strengthened their roster, which was already among the best in the NFL.
Linebackers CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams explain to BBC Sport why the Jets believe this is the right time to return to the big game heading into the 2024 campaign.
Jets got stronger in adversity
Zach Wilson, a struggling rookie quarterback, was put back in the firing line by Aaron Rodgers’ injury, and the Jets started four different quarterbacks in the regular season.
Despite this setback, they managed to grind out a 7-10 record, mostly due to their defence. The Jets have added Tyrod Taylor as a more seasoned, trustworthy backup quarterback in case Aaron Rodgers is sidelined once more.
The most important thing, according to 28-year-old Williams, is that the team persevered despite the outside noise, despite the fact that the previous season was somewhat turbulent.
We faced some hardship at the start of the season, but we all persevered. The aim was to go 1-0 each week. Even if we didn’t always understand that, we continued thinking in the same way the next week.
Despite acknowledging that the previous season was ultimately “a failure,” Mosley, 32, concurs that the Jets have become stronger as a result of their hardships.
“The loss of Aaron was difficult for the entire group, but you have to get back up or regroup,” he continues.
While many things didn’t work out for us, we still developed as a team. We managed to bounce back and get better somehow. We had the option to give up, but instead we ended the year on a high note.
“I made sure to have the proper frame of mind to lead the team because I have a championship mentality. I played the entire season as though Aaron Rodgers, number eight, was still throwing the ball for us, so when he does return, nobody will be surprised when we score points.
Winning mentality instilled by Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers created unique handshakes with many of his new team-mates in New York, including Quincy Williams (left)
Following his transfer from the NFL’s smallest market to its largest, Aaron Rodgers fully embraced life in New York City.
Mosley clarifies that even if he doesn’t travel in the same circles as the other Jets players, he nevertheless behaves like a member of the team.
He describes him as “a special person.” He truly is a Hollywood star. It’s mind-blowing to hear some of his experiences. He’ll mention in passing that he hangs around with Michael Jordan.
“Aside from his unusual lifestyle, he’s friendly, easygoing, and enjoys spending time with his teammates. That I get to call him my boy is absurd.
Since the 2010 campaign, the Jets have not advanced to the postseason. Not only is it the longest current NFL play-off drought, but it is also the longest in US men’s basketball history.
However, Rodgers has shown himself to be the capable leader they have been waiting for, giving the team a winning mindset.
“Man, he’s an energy person,” Williams continues. His intensity was apparent as soon as he entered the building. We pay attention to anything he says and critiques because he is a future Hall of Famer and one of those men with the gold jackets.
The most important thing is that he treats everyone equally, from the janitors to the owner, regardless of where they are in the hierarchy.
“Go ask him anything at any time if you have any questions. He says, “I’m here for you,” if you want to train with him off-season. When he wasn’t hurt, he even led the practice squad a couple times.
