Aaron Rodgers opens up in interview during New York Jets preseason opener

Aaron Rodgers is a new man with the New York Jets. It was quite evident when the quarterback spoke live on NBC during the Jets’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Rodgers spoke with a relaxed demeanor. No, not exactly “R-E-L-A-X,” but something close. With Rodgers under center, the Jets are bonafide Super Bowl contenders on paper.

With young talent around him that developed fast, Rodgers and the Jets could certainly be fun to watch. Here’s everything Rodgers said on NBC’s Thursday night broadcast during the Hall of Fame Game.

Rodgers on how he knew he wanted to come back

“Just you know, the love for the game that never went away,” Rodgers said. “It was just thinking about what I wanted life to be like in 2023. This has definitely exceeded all my expectations and all the thoughts that I had in that dark place for those few days.”

Rodgers on mentoring young players factoring into his decision

“Yeah, I think so,” Rodgers said. “I mean, I’ve always enjoyed that role and I’ve had a lot of great backups over the years that I love and still keep in contact with and I think it’s part of it. I got to be around Brett Favre for three years and learn from him watching him, listening to how he went about his business. 

“I always felt like it’s part of the job to help those young guys out and get them ready to play at some point. There was a great one behind me in Green Bay who’s got an opportunity now which is something which is really fun J-Love e and helping Zach and Tim and Chris. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Rodgers on why joining the Jets makes him hungry

“I love our team,” Rodgers said. “I love the guys we got. I love the men and women that work for the organization. It’s a really fun environment. I think that’s what you got to do when there’s a big time change in your life. You can resist it or you can just jump in and surrender to the process and all the newness of it and the excitement and it’s been a lot of fun just being around these young guys and being around a team that’s really hungry. 

“They had some success last year, obviously finished rough, but the pieces are in place. And Robert (Saleh) has done an incredible job of putting the staff together, encouraged these guys, have pushed these guys, hold them accountable. I’m just, you know, just a cog in that wheel. And then I know my role and it’s an important one but I’m excited to get the live ones going and this is fun. I mean football is back. You know it’s August, it’s training camp, but it’s an exciting time of the year.”

Rodgers on playing under OC Nathaniel Hackett again

“Well, it’s a lot of fun,” Rodgers said. “It’s actually a lot of the stuff that we put together after the ‘19 season when COVID hit and we couldn’t meet in person. Matt (LaFleur) and Nathaniel and I had a lot of meetings on Zoom. When nobody knew what Zoom was … We put together a blend of you know, a lot of stuff that Matt’s done, some of the stuff that I did with Mike (McCarthy) for so many years and then a lot of stuff that was done in various places. 

“Obviously he’s got the pedigree as that legendary football coach. And so it’s a lot of that stuff that we did in 20 and ‘21. And then some other stuff that we picked up along the way. But I love (Nathaniel), he’s an incredible guy. He’s got a great wife and four amazing kids and he brings a great energy to work every single day and obviously he went through some growing pains last year. But you know, I think there are a lot of great lessons for him and I’m excited to be working with him again.”

Rodgers on why he connects with Hackett

“He’s a man of high character and he’s got a lot of integrity,” Rodgers said. “He cares about his people you know and his people it’s not just his family, but it’s his family at work, and he shows us how much he cares all the time. He brings incredible energy and juice to the workplace. Anybody who’s worked with him, you know, I think would probably speak pretty glowingly about his habits and his demeanor and his attitude and his quirkiness and all the things that make Hack, Hack and it’s why we love him so much. 

“I mean, this is like a dream to be back with him. Just because he’s not just a great football coach, but he’s a dear friend of mine.”

How Garrett Wilson could become one of the top WRs in the NFL

“I think pretty quick,” Rodgers said. “I think they’re smart guys. They’re talented guys. And that’s what we did a lot in the offseason, during the OTA time was just a lot of conversation around what we’re trying to do or what we’re trying to accomplish, what to be ready for. But Garrett, he’s a special talent. And obviously, you know, Joe has done a great job of drafting the offensive and defensive rookie of the year last year with you know, my new best friend Sauce and Garrett is just one amazing kid.

“You know, I have so much love and respect for DaVante (Adams), I feel like he’s the best receiver in the league. So I don’t say this lightly, but there are definitely traits that this 17 has. That that special 17 has as well. I’m not gonna put him in that category yet because, you know, DaVante is in a category by himself but Garrett has the potential to really be special because he’s got all the right things and he’s got incredible talent.”

More on Garrett Wilson

“He’s got a great work ethic,” Rodgers said. “And he’s a freaking great kid and he really is a good human being. He cares about it, carries himself the right way. Carries himself like a seasoned vet, but he’s got a humility that you’d love to see from a young player. So I’m just so excited to work with him. He’s unfortunately coming back from a little ankle thing he did in practice but an awesome kid.” 

On the other Jets WRs

“And we got a lot of other guys in the room who have done some great things,” Rodgers said. “We got Mecole Hardman, who’s won a couple championships. We got Corey Davis. He’s an extremely talented guy. Allan Lazard, I know Randall Cobb, young guys in the mix as well. And a guy like Malik Taylor … 

“I mean, the team, it’s going to be tough to get down to 53 because there’s a lot of depth at a lot of positions. But yeah, man probably my time here. I mean, I’ve just embraced everything in New York and had some great opportunities at MSG and concerts, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran and plays. It has a lot of stuff to do. I’m enjoying it.”

Rodgers on if touring Canton hit him that he’s a future Hall of Famer

“I mean, it did,” Rodgers said. “Yeah, it did. I’ve been a fan of the league since I had a memory and there’ve been so many incredible players that I’ve played against now they’re in the Hall. I mean tonight, you know Demarcus Ware, Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, you know played against all three of those guys. 

“That’s what happens when you’ve been around as long as I have. But it’s a special place, so much great history. I mean, I’ve said this before, I grew up wearing out this old VHS tape of Super Bowl highlights. You know, I’ve been in love with the game since as long as I can remember and this is always what I wanted to do so to be able to still be doing it, to have this fun new opportunity here, to have 18 great years in Green Bay with such a storied franchise and and to one day have that at the end of the road, it’s going to be pretty special.”