Aaron Rodgers will be under center in a preseason game for the first time since 2018 this weekend. The New York Jets’ prized offseason acquisition is ready to get on the field with his new squad.
Head coach Robert Saleh said earlier this week that “you can’t coach scared” with the potential injury risk of preseason action. Rodgers may have had a hand in the decision as well.
NFL Insider Brian Baldinger of Audacy’s original podcast “In The Huddle” explained why he thinks this is Rodgers’ call to play in the Jets’ preseason finale against the Giants this weekend.
“I think this is Aaron. I think Aaron’s running the show. I think Aaron wants to play,” Baldinger said (25:30 in player above). “There are still two and a half weeks before they get ready for Buffalo on Sunday night. I think this is Aaron wanting to play, wanting to go out there and let’s look sharp. Let’s be clean. Let’s be sharp… Let’s put something out there on tape right now.”
While Rodgers hasn’t seen preseason action in half a decade, other starting quarterbacks around the league have gotten into at least a game or two. With Rodgers joining a new team, some game action could be beneficial before Week 1.
“I don’t think this is about ‘OK, we can’t get our franchise player hurt.’ I don’t think there’s any of that mentality,” Baldinger continued. “Let’s let our offensive line go to work. Let’s see the timing that we’ve worked on for the last month.
“Remember, this is the fourth preseason game because they played the Hall of Fame game. I think Aaron’s just tired of being a cheerleader on the sideline right now. I think he wants to get out there. I think he’s itching to get out there and be with his team, the team that he wants to lead deep into the playoffs. I think this is all coming from Aaron.”
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