Aaron Rodgers has addressed the rampant commerce rumors surrounding him — and affirmed his fondness for Nathaniel Hackett, the Jets’ new offensive coordinator.
On his weekly spot on “The Pat McAfee Present” on Tuesday, Rodgers stated he has not decided as as to whether he’ll return for a nineteenth NFL season. That hasn’t stopped folks linking him to the Jets, who’re contemplating including a veteran quarterback and simply employed Hackett, who was the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-21.
Rodgers wouldn’t say if any coach’s placement within the league would impression his choice, however he was extremely complimentary of Hackett.
“Love Hack. Hack is my man. Love him and Megan and the children,” Rodgers stated. “They’re actually particular to me. We actually bonded when he was in Inexperienced Bay. He made it enjoyable. He made the room enjoyable. He made the weeks enjoyable.”
Rodgers gained consecutive MVP awards, in 2020 and 2021, taking part in underneath Hackett’s steering at Inexperienced Bay. His play fell off in 2022 after Hackett left to take the head-coaching job with the Broncos, although Rodgers additionally suffered a damaged thumb trying to throw a Hail Mary on the finish of the Packers’ sport in opposition to the Giants in Week 5, and was noticeably hampered by the harm.
McAfee requested how the method will unfold and whether or not Rodgers will let the Packers know what he’s pondering, and vice versa. That’s when the 39-year-old Rodgers made an allusion to experiences by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, citing league sources, that Inexperienced Bay “prefers to maneuver on” from the quarterback.
“It appears like there’s already conversations happening that aren’t involving me. That’s very attention-grabbing,” Rodgers stated. “Actually, I’ve been insulated to plenty of that. I used to be in Nashville [visiting teammates Randall Cobb and David Bakhtiari] and I’ll be [at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am] this week taking part in within the match. So, I’m not part of these conversations proper now. After I make up my thoughts by hook or by crook, you guys and the Packers and everybody else will know sooner or later.”
Rodgers stated he’s “assured” he’ll really feel extra strongly inside the subsequent couple of weeks about whether or not he’ll preserve taking part in or retire.
Requested how he’s weighing whether or not to return, Rodgers stated: “Whenever you’ve performed so long as I’ve you wish to recap every week the issues that occurred. You get pleasure from journaling and people issues. I believe it’s vital to have a look at the tone of these issues and the place your thoughts is if you get away from it. You need to get away from the emotion of it. That’s why you possibly can’t decide till after the Tremendous Bowl on the earliest, as a result of there’s nonetheless soccer happening, primary.
“Quantity two, it ain’t about me. It’s concerning the Eagles and the Chiefs and the nice season that they’ve had. However I believe you gotta be cognizant of what was going by way of your thoughts through the season. Did you benefit from the grind as a lot? Did you get pleasure from apply? Did you benefit from the assembly time, the routine? And to not neglect about these emotions and make an emotional response both means, I believe that’s vital.”
