When the New York Jets traded to acquire Aaron Rodgers, there were lingering questions about how long he would stay in the Big Apple.
Rodgers admitted he had considered retiring following a disappointing season with the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Rodgers apparently experienced an epiphany following a “darkness retreat” at a facility in Ashland, Oregon, and he emerged with a hunger to continue playing in 2023.
Rodgers, 39, sounds rejuvenated as he begins his 19th season in the NFL, but first with the Jets. He hasn’t publicly committed to playing in 2024, but issued strong hints that he won’t be “one-and-done” in 2023.
“Most people would say ‘I’m taking this one day at a time or one year at a time,’ but the Jets gave up a lot for me, so to play just one year would be, I think, a disservice,” Rodgers said during an interview on radio station 98.7 ESPN in New York. “But if that one year turns out to be a magical year, who knows?”
A big factor in how long Rodgers continues to play will be his health. He has been healthy for much of his career. He played a full season in 2022 and has played in at least 15 games in 13 seasons since he became the starter with the Packers in 2008.
“It’s how my body feels. I’ve made some changes this offseason with some training and some diet,” Rodgers said. “My body feels really, really good. I think I’m in a good spot. As you get older, sometimes you wake up in the morning and you’re thinking, ‘Why does this hurt? Why does my knee hurt? Why does my shoulder hurt?’”
Rodgers said the changes in his diet include removing all processed foods and fruit. His diet now consists of primarily protein. Rodgers added that his body is in a very good place, which has him thinking of continuing to play for multiple seasons.
“The last couple of months my body has been feeling really good,” Rodgers said. “Now talk to me in three to four months. We’ll see how it feels, but the way I feel now, I think I could play a number of years.”
Head coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers has possessed the demeanor of an excited rookie during minicamps and training camp.
“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, BS with the guys, come in the office, come talk to us and just enjoy playing football,” Saleh told reporters Saturday. “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 looks like he’s having fun, but there’s a business side to him staying with the Jets beyond 2023.
Rodgers, who has two years remaining on his current contract, is due an astounding $107.6 million in 2024. The Jets and Rodgers are currently working on restructuring his contract.
