Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters during training camp that his “instinct” is not to play Aaron Rodgers during the preseason.
When asked about his preference for playing exhibition snaps in the preseason finale against the Giants on Aug. 24, the 20-year veteran didn’t seem concerned about not playing.
“Preseason is not what it used to be,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “It’s to see if young guys when the lights go on and the pads go on and the tackling happens, if they can show up or they don’t.
“What’s there to gain? Just going out there, being back on the field in a situation where you can get hit. I’m not worried about it. Preseason, it’s not real football.”
Last year, there weren’t many highlights of Rodgers playing in a Jets uniform. But one of them was during the preseason finale against the Giants.
Not only did Rodgers complete a touchdown pass to wide receiver Garrett Wilson, but he and Giants linebacker Jihad Ward exchanged words after Ward bumped into him after completing a pass from then-Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
Many people remember four plays into the Jets’ season opener against the Bills last September, when Rodgers tore his Achilles after he was sacked by defensive end Leonard Floyd.
Rodgers did not play in the preseason opener against the Commanders last Saturday and will also be held out during Saturday’s game against the Panthers. It’s understandable why the Jets are being cautious with Rodgers, 40, after his injury.
Without Rodgers under center last year, the Jets stumbled to a 7-10 record for the second consecutive year. Having the four-time NFL MVP under center is vital for the Jets to end a 13-year playoff drought and play in Super Bowl LIX.
The Jets and Rodgers have had preliminary discussions about whether he will play in their final preseason game against the Giants.
“When the time is right, we’ll all sit down,” Saleh said. “The decision’s not going to be made in a phone booth, it’s going to be made with a global thought, and I’ve got a lot of thoughts.
“I don’t want to get into all the details with what’s going through my mind with regards to play him or not play him, but we’ll definitely have a really lengthy discussion on whether it’s the right thing to do for the organization”
Saleh held Rodgers out of last Thursday’s joint practice against the Commanders because of the heavy rain. Rodgers is expected to participate in the joint practice against the Panthers in Charlotte on Thursday and the one against the Giants on Aug. 21.
“I mean nobody likes to play anymore, nobody likes to show anything either,” Rodgers said. “Our offense that day Washington was … you guys saw it, it is not our offense, we didn’t run any of our stuff. You watch today’s practice and you watched that practice and you’re thinking which one is it, but it is this one.
“Even in the joint practice, you’re not going to get a ton of stuff.”
Rodgers and the Jets had their longest and best training camp performance on the offensive side of the ball on Tuesday. He completed 19 of 28 passes with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion to Malachi Corley.
Not only was Rodgers efficient in finding open receivers, but he used his mobility to scamper away from defenders and even ran outside the pocket several times. At the start of camp, Rodgers told reporters he was 95% back to his pre-injury form and said the last 5% would come over the course of a full training camp.
It appears Rodgers is close to 100%, with the season opener against the 49ers on Sept. 9 on the horizon.
“I feel like I have an extra gear that I haven’t shown yet,” Rodgers said. “Not sure how much of an extra gear that is. In my mind, I feel like I got a little bit more that I can do.
“Being able to move around in the pocket and still make throws and extend the play is something I would love to be able to do. It could be a little extra bonus for the offense. Plays like that make me feel like I’m ready to go.”