2023 is sort of a fresh start of sorts for Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After 18 seasons in Green Bay, the four-time MVP is entering his first season in New York. Rodgers had a very successful and almost certainly Hall of Fame career as a Packer including winning Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But his last season in Green Bay wasn’t exactly a fond farewell. His numbers weren’t terrible but they were his lowest in some time. He threw for 3,695 yards, his first season under 4,000 yards since 2017 when he only played seven games. He also threw 12 interceptions, his most since he threw 11 back in 2010 (yes, the Super Bowl season). Of course, Rodgers didn’t have star wide receiver Davante Adams and rookie Christian Watson missed about half the season.
Despite all that, this isn’t a “bounce-back season” for Rodgers in his opinion.
“I’m not looking at this like I have to bounce back or do anything [special],” Rodgers said Thursday, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “I just have to play the way I know how to play. I’ve been working my ass off for the last six months to try to put a better product on the field than last year. And I expect to.”
That six months included Rodgers’ first appearance in the preseason since 2018 (and throwing a touchdown) and him actually taking part — at least while healthy — in OTAs, something else that became a rarity in his later years in Green Bay.
Rodgers is ready to help the Jets get back to the upper echelon of the NFL and that starts Monday night against the reigning AFC East champion Buffalo Bills. What Rodgers may consider more of a retool instead of a bounceback includes a challenging start to the season that also includes the Cowboys, Patriots, Chiefs, Broncos and Eagles. We’ll soon find out if the Jets start off strong or if the team as a whole will need to bounce back sooner rather than later.