Aaron Rodgers has yet to make his Jets debut, but the future Hall of Famer has already given thought to whom he’ll pass the quarterback baton to.
Rodgers envisions a potential succession plan for the Jets involving him handing the keys back over to Zach Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“I’d like to be able to play a few good years here and then hand it right back off to Zach, and let him go for the next 15. It’d be a really special 18-20-year run of great quarterback play,” Rodgers told CBS New York.
That is a slightly more ambitious tone than Rodgers has struck in the past, as the 39-year-old has previously talked about playing two seasons with the Jets.
It also would means Wilson would have to be patient for his next starting opportunity, but — if Rodgers’ plan comes to fruition — would be set up to guide the team for many years.
A four-time league MVP, Rodgers was traded to the Jets by the Packers in April in what was a franchise-altering move.
In addition to assuming the role of QB1 for Gang Green, Rodgers has become a mentor to Wilson, who struggled and was benched in his second season at the helm.
“I’m very appreciative of him and how much he is willing to help me because he doesn’t need to be that vocal,” the 24-year-old Wilson said of Rodgers.
“He is an amazing friend and, obviously, such an amazing quarterback. I am learning a lot of football.”
The Rodgers effect appears to have had a positive impact on Wilson’s development, as the former BYU product tossed an impressive 57-yard completion to wide receiver Malik Taylor in the Jets’ preseason-opening loss to the Browns on Aug. 3.
“Zach did a good job,” head coach Robert Saleh said after the game. “He was poised. He looked comfortable in the pocket and delivered the ball on schedule. It was definitely something to build on.”
Wilson followed up that performance by throwing for 123 yards and a touchdown in the Jets’ preseason win over the Panthers on Aug. 12.
He completed nine of 13 attempts for 70 yards but added a 35-yard run in the team’s 13-6 loss to the Buccaneers over the weekend.
With Rodgers suiting up for the Jets on Saturday in their preseason finale against the Giants, the Super Bowl champion quarterback is hopeful about what this team can do in the immediate future.
“To win here would be really, really special,” Rodgers said, “but why limit it to one? I don’t plan on this being one-and-done, so, I think we’re going to be competitive here for a long time.”
The Jets, who finished last in the AFC East in 2022 with a 7-10 record, open the season on “Monday Night Football” against the Bills on Sept. 11.
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