Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has certainly been engaged during his first offseason with the New York Jets.
The future Hall of Famer has shown up for off-season activities heading into training camp later this month after being acquired from the Green Bay Packers during the spring.
This comes after an often drama-filled ending to his 18-year tenure with the Packers. We’re also hearing a bit more about how things unfolded between the enigmatic quarterback and his former organization.
In particular, NFL insider Albert Breer suggests that Rodgers’ level of engagement just wasn’t there with the Packers last season.
“(The Jets) think they’re getting a different player than the Packers got last year because of the level of engagement,” Breer noted recently.
Even prior to dealing Rodgers to the Jets back in April, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear that communication was an issue between the two sides.
“I was really looking forward to the conversations with Aaron to see how he fit into that; those never transpired,” Gutekunst said during the spring.
That came after Rodgers himself seemed to blame the Packers’ organization for a lack of communication.
“I wish that in the beginning of the offseason that had been the conversation, because I love direct communication. If they had just said, ‘Listen, we think it’s time to move in a different direction. We love you. You’re going to be a Packer Hall of Famer. You’re going to go into the Hall as a Packer. We’re going to retire your number; whatever it might be, but it’s time to move on.’”
Aaron Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show back in March
There was obviously a disconnect between the two sides. Green Bay has its theory about what transpired. Rodgers does, too.
Related: Aaron Rodgers and the top NFL QBs of 2023
Fresh start for Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
All of that drama aside, these two entities are starting anew with a clean slate. Green Bay will roll with former first-round pick Jordan Love under center in 2023. Meanwhile, the Jets boast one of the greatest quarterbacks in the modern era.
Aaron Rodgers stats: 65% completion, 59,055 yards, 475 TD, 105 INT
New York has championship aspirations. Head coach Robert Saleh and Co. firmly believe that the Jets’ roster can compete with the big boys in the AFC. Paying a premium to acquire Rodgers added another element to that.
As for Green Bay, the 2023 season will be one of transition. Love represents only the Packers’ third full-time starting quarterback since all the way back in 1991. All indications are that Green Bay is sold on Love being the guy out of the gate this coming season.
“Just watching him last year. I think Jordan’s made some huge strides. I really do and I think a lot of it is a credit to Tom (Clements), and just, he knows how to train these guys. He knows how to drill them and he’s very, very consistent. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He just is matter of fact and I think there’s no doubt.”
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Jordan Love’s growth