Jul 22, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on during drills the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New York Jets Training Camp
(Florham Park, NJ) – If you expected Aaron Rodgers to be a quiet wallflower during his time playing in the media capital of the world, you haven’t been paying attention.
And true to form, the outspoken superstar jumped at the chance to speak out when faced with the first opportunity as a member of the New York Jets.
After newly-minted Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton inexplicably excoriated his team’s previous coaching staff, referring to the Nathaniel Hackett-led crew as “the wurst coaching job in NFL history,” — Rodgers fired back with equal ferocity.
During an interview with NFL insider Peter Schrags, the Jets signal caller started out with some measured jabs, noting “Those comments were very surprising. For a coach to do that to another coach. My love for Hackett goes deep… He’s arguably my favorite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL.”
Of course, Payton’s critical comments didn’t just center on Hackett and the Broncos former coaching staff. He also issued a bold prediction about the new-look Jets, forecasting their “offseason” winning round the only notable victories for Gang Green this upcoming season.
It’s worth noting that Payton has since walked back the entirety of his comments, admitting he likely sort of forgot he’s no longer working on TV. It’s also an unquestionable point of intrigue that the Jets and Broncos are scheduled to meet in the regular season, week 5, in Denver. Chances are Aaron Rodgers (and the entire Jets squad) will have that one circled on the calendar.
And Rodgers will be sure to put his game face on, while continuing to stand up for his offensive coordinator Hackett. He punctuated the interview with Schrags in very 2023 parlance: “keep my coach’s name out of (your) mouth.”
If nothing else, Payton may want to remember that as a renewed member of the coaches’ fraternity, he’s free to say what he pleases — but those checks get cashed eventually. Better judgment typically says you best hold your tongue.
Unless of course Payton is taking after his former defensive coordinators’ brother and crafting a Rex Ryan like heel turn for part two of his head coaching career. In that case, week 5 can’t come fast enough.
