Aaron Rodgers really has a thing for receivers who wear No. 17.
Already a few times during training camp, the new Jets quarterback has sung the praises of receiver Garrett Wilson and has even compared the second-year wideout to his former Packers teammate, Davante Adams.
Rodgers made it clear again that he has strong feelings for both players in a heartfelt Instagram story.
The 39-year-old signal caller posted a picture of himself with Wilson on the practice field with the caption “Always love my 17s” and tagged the accounts of his Jets teammate and Adams.
It echoes the sentiments Rodgers shared during the Jets’ first preseason game against the Browns on Aug. 3, when he said Wilson is a “special” talent that has similar attributes to Adams.
“I mean Garrett, what an amazing kid,” Rodgers said during an interview with NBC during the Hall of Fame Game. “I have so much love and respect for Davante [Adams], and feel like he’s the best receiver in the league, so I don’t say this lightly, but there are definitely traits that this 17 has that that special 17 has as well.”
Adams caught 622 passes and 69 touchdowns over 108 games with Rodgers from 2014-21 as the receiver racked up his first five Pro Bowl appearances.
Wilson is entering his sophomore season but made quite the impression after he won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Even with a carousel of inconsistent quarterbacks under center, Wilson recorded 83 catches for 1,103 yards with four touchdowns.
Though Rodgers wouldn’t put Wilson into the same upper echelon as Adams, he did say the 23-year-old is on his way to an impressive NFL career.
“He’s got incredible talent, he’s got a great work ethic and he’s a freakin’ great kid,” Rodgers added during the Hall of Fame Game broadcast. “He really is a good human being. He cares about it, carries himself the right way.”
Rodgers and Wilson will get to show off their relationship in earnest when the season opens on Sept. 11 against the Bills — if the offensive line holds up.
Read more
