Rodgers takes it easy before season debut

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Aaron Rodgers knows what to expect when the Jets open this highly anticipated season in San Francisco on Monday night. He hopes everyone will RELAX.

Rodgers said this 10 years ago in Green Bay after the Packers got off to a slow start. He delivered that message in a different form before the Jets' practice on Thursday.

“If we win, the headlines will be, 'We're going to the Super Bowl,'” Rodgers said. “If we lose, it'll be, 'The old Jets.' I think we need to get away from some of those side issues.”

As much as he'd like to, Rodgers can't control history, but he was referring specifically to the Jets and how they handle the ups and downs of the season. If they need a crash course in what not to do, last season was a good blueprint.

Rodgers' first season with the Jets ended abruptly. He tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into the Week 1 game against Buffalo. The Jets really had no plan B and their season became a long death march filled with drama, more injuries and more drama.

In his own way, Rodgers caused drama with many of his comments on the Pat McAfee Show, including criticizing the organization for media leaks.

If Rodgers and the Jets can focus on the football and keep drama and distractions to a minimum, they could become one of the best teams in the AFC. Las Vegas views the Jets as favorites to win the division. At this point, it would be a huge disappointment if the Jets failed to end their 13-year playoff drought.

The Jets have improved their offensive line and added new players. Rodgers is healthy and playing with the will to prove that he is still an elite quarterback at age 40.

“I'm very proud of my accomplishments,” said Rodgers, a four-time MVP. “When I step out on the field, I expect great things because I've done it before. So that's the standard I hold myself to.”

He holds his teammates to the same standards. Rodgers said his goal is to lead the Jets onto the field for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in February, but they have to “trust the process” and “trust the program.”

Rodgers said he will try to “be a point of stability for the team so we don't get too caught up in the highs and lows. At some point during the season there will be setbacks. We have to make sure we handle them properly.” He believes the signing of experienced offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses will help with that.

Jets coach Robert Saleh called Rodgers the “ultimate teammate” and said his “leadership skills are invaluable.” He marvels at how Rodgers “interacts with everyone.”

The NFL's oldest player, a Super Bowl champion and an instant Hall of Famer, Rodgers is playing for one thing only: to win a second Super Bowl. He believes the Jets are one of eight to 12 teams with a real chance to get there, and he doesn't want anything to stand in his way.

“We can't ride these waves of emotion or frustration or outside narratives or anything like that,” Rodgers said. “We have to keep this under wraps. We can't tolerate leaks or people abandoning ship.”

“We have to be aware that it's going to be a long season. If you don't get the ball in the first week, that doesn't mean you're not going to be an important part of the offense. If you don't play in the first half of the season, that doesn't mean there won't be a moment at some point when it's your turn and we expect you to step in and play well.”

Saleh agrees with Rodgers about the importance of the process and approach, but he disagreed with his quarterback that the Jets are a Super Bowl contender. Saleh does not comment publicly on internal or external expectations.

“I believe we are capable of anything,” Saleh said. “But I also know that we have not done anything yet. As long as we do nothing, everything is just a hypothesis.”

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Haason Reddick's availability is still pending, but Saleh “hasn't ruled him out for Monday's game.”