Jets supporters won’t have to wait until the regular season to witness quarterback Aaron Rodgers make his first appearance.
The four-time MVP will make his first start as a Jet in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Giants, according to a source.
The upcoming game at MetLife Stadium will technically mark Rodgers’ inaugural start as a Jet on the road, making it effectively a home game for the Giants.
Rodgers has not participated in the initial three preseason matches and the Jets have given Zach Wilson the starting position.
Now, Rodgers will take to the field for the first time as a Jet in a preseason game that should have a positive atmosphere.
Rodgers will have the chance to go through his routine pregame and get used to the stadium before the Jets open their regular season against the Bills at MetLife on September 11, getting rid of any butterflies.
The Jets traded for Rodgers in April and he has been everything they could have hoped for since arriving from the Packers.
Rodgers has performed exceptionally well during practice and has fully embraced the role of mentoring the young players on the Jets team.
He has not skipped any training camp sessions.
The door was left open by Jets coach Robert Saleh for Rodgers to participate in this last preseason game.
Saleh said that after the game with the Buccaneers on Saturday night, he would speak to Rodgers about the potential of participating in the game against the Giants and gather his input.
Rodgers previously stated during training that he “would not encounter any difficulties taking part in the preseason.” Rodgers’ most recent involvement in a preseason game was in 2018.
Rodger expressed at the beginning of camp, “The majority of coaches experience apprehension regarding ensuring players make it through to Week 1 without any risks, but I personally think there is an opportunity for the final one.” Robert responded to Rodger, saying, “Hey, we should proceed. Let’s give it a try,” to which Rodger replied, “I wouldn’t object.”
Rodgers last participated in the preseason during Week 2 of 2018 against the Steelers.
He participated in only five short periods, successfully completing 2-out-of-4 passing attempts for 35 yards and a touchdown.
He has observed from the sidelines during pre-season ever since.
With Rodgers on the field, you can assume the Jets will have their other healthy starters in the lineup against the Giants.
Despite having a new quarterback, wide receiver Garrett Wilson has not yet made an appearance in a preseason game.
Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall, two running backs, may still not have played in any preseason games held so far this year.
Hall resumed practicing last week.
It was his initial move since undergoing ACL surgery in October of last year.
He only participated in a five-team representatives last week.
Asking him to play too much in the preseason game may already be a game plan for the Jets, but he needs 1 week to prepare and ramp up his workload for this week.
Cook has not trained with the Jets since joining last week.
He came back to his home this weekend to observe the arrival of his children but is expected to start his work duties this week.
It is probable that he needs more practice before participating in a game, though. Cook is also in the process of recovering from a shoulder operation that occurred in February.
The playing time of Rodgers and the other starting players remains uncertain.
If they assemble a powerful initial sequence, Saleh might lead them.
If they have difficulty, he might consider watching them participate in a quarter.
The Jets also need to pray that they can assemble a formidable offensive line in front of Rodgers this week.
Saleh appeared to be optimistic about their return on Saturday, as the Buccaneers faced the guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and Laken Tomlinson without (ankle) injuries.
Prior to participating in a match, the offensive lineman Duane Brown would probably require additional practice sessions lasting longer than a few days, however, there is a possibility that he may be removed from the physically unable to perform list within this week.