New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ready to restart his NFL career after his Achilles injury and has high expectations of what he can do.
With Rodgers going down in Week 1 of last season, just four plays in, now, after a year, he's ready to return to the field against the San Francisco 49ers in the Jets' season opener. But many question whether Rodgers can still be "that guy" after such a devastating injury.
However the man himself isn't using it as motivation, he's got an internal fire that burns bright.
"I mean, I've always kind of played with some [chip] on my shoulder, you got to manufacture things from time to time," Rodgers said. "But yeah, I mean it kind of goes back to the prove it, who I need to prove to, just myself at this point, so but I have a lot of pride in my performance, so when I take the field, I expect greatness and because I've done it before, and so that's kind of a standard I hold myself to."
Jets fans will be hoping that Rodgers can get back somewhere near his best in 2024, and such is the roster around him; some have said even if Rodgers is "average" at quarterback, New York is in a good spot.
After all, the franchise won seven games with below-part quarterback play last season, and now, with Rodgers, they won't be getting much of that in 2024.
But for those who think it will be smooth sailing, think again. It will take time for Rodgers to adjust to playing with this offensive group, and while the talent is all around him, getting on the same page doesn't happen overnight.
However, that hasn't stopped Jets fans from dreaming big this season. With the 49ers up first, if New York manages to walk out of Levi's Stadium with a win, that would be an ideal start for the franchise.
