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Aaron Rodgers offers different answers about playing beyond 2023
Aaron Rodgers. Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

Jets' Aaron Rodgers offers different answers about playing beyond 2023

It didn't take long for new New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to leave some media members scratching their heads. 

As shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Rodgers declined to commit to playing past the 2023 NFL season during his introductory Jets news conference on Wednesday afternoon. 

"Right now I’m just going to focus on this season," Rodgers said at that time. "I’m excited to be here." 

However, PFT's Josh Alper pointed out that Rodgers met with beat reporters shortly after the news conference and hinted he plans to dedicate more than a single campaign to his new employer. 

"This isn’t a one-and-done in my mind," Rodgers told those reporters. "This is a commitment." 

Rodgers made it known back on March 15 that he intended to play for the Jets, but no trade occurred until this week amid reports that said team owner Woody Johnson was left somewhat "scared" after the future Hall of Famer told "The Pat McAfee Show" last month he began his much-discussed darkness retreat "90 percent retired and 10 percent playing."

It was also said that Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was ready to move on from the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player because Gutekunst "wanted an all-in Rodgers in March 2023 and knew he wouldn’t get it." 

The Jets confirmed Wednesday afternoon they paid a heavy price to land their new QB1, and individuals such as ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III said earlier this week they felt that New York "got absolutely fleeced" in the trade:  

The previously mentioned Johnson and general manager Joe Douglas are hoping Rodgers will make the Jets immediate Super Bowl contenders and will serve as a needed mentor for 2021 second-overall draft pick Zach Wilson. 

If, however, Rodgers leaves Gang Green without a second Vince Lombardi Trophy and looking for yet another replacement for Wilson next winter, this could go down as one of the biggest blunders in franchise history. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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