NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers last participated in a preseason game in 2018, but that will change on Saturday afternoon.
The four-time NFL MVP will play in the final preseason game against the Giants. Despite being in a time when many teams opt to sit their starters instead of playing them in preseason games, Jets coach Robert Saleh said he had a conversation with Rodgers before deciding to play the 19-year veteran in the preseason finale.
“You can’t coach scared, you can’t play scared,” Saleh said. “You can slip out of your car and have something happen to you, but knock on wood, everyone will be fine.
“You know you see some of the great ones out there. Kansas City’s playing their guys, Buffalo’s playing their guys, it’s not uncommon.
“You could always play the hindsight game or the fearful game, but what’s in the best interest for our team is to go out there and play some football together and prepare ourselves the best way we can for September 11th.”
Rodgers, 39, sat out of the first three preseason games as Zach Wilson got the start against the Browns, Panthers and Buccaneers. With the regular season kicking off in less than three weeks against the Bills, it makes sense why the Jets would want to get Rodgers acclimated in a game situation with his new teammates.
“There’s always that risk-reward,” Rodgers said about playing in the preseason. “I think over the years, it just hasn’t made sense based on a number of different factors, but I used to enjoy playing the preseason back in my younger years, just to kind of maybe take that first hit or feel kind of the nerves in the first drive, so I look forward to being out there.
“There was not much of a conversation with Robert [Saleh]. I think he was a little more nervous that I might have said no, but I was already leaning towards asking him to play. So, it was an easy conversation and I’m not sure how long it’s going to be, but it would be good to be out there with the guys.
“Obviously, there’s been some shuffling around, some of our front back in today at practice kind of looked the way things were trending in the past week or so, so it will be nice to be out there with those five.”
Although he knows Nathaniel Hackett’s offense better than anyone after playing in it while in Green Bay for three seasons, Rodgers is still gaining chemistry with his new teammates, as a number of them have missed time during various points of training camp.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson missed time after rolling an ankle during practice. Running back Breece Hall is just returning as he spent a better part of training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he is coming off an ACL tear last October. Also, Dalvin Cook, who was signed last week, has yet to practice with the team.
Neither Hall or Cook will play against the Giants, but both players are expected to be in uniform for the Jets Week 1 game against the Bills.
Also, the Jets’ offensive line has had multiple changes during training camp as Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and Laken Tomlinson (leg) both missed last week’s game against Tampa Bay. The only lineman who is still not on the field is left tackle Duane Brown, as he is in Houston to get an evaluation on the shoulder he had offseason surgery on. If he’s cleared, Brown will be activated from the PUP list.
“I know he’s been in the league a very long time, but just didn’t want September 11th to be the first time that he stepped into MetLife Stadium,” Saleh said about Rodgers. “The Giants and Jets game, whether it’s preseason or regular season, there’s going to be good turnout.
“There’s going to be a lot of anticipation and excitement in the building and just didn’t want the first time that he goes out with his new team, new colors, new teammates, new stadium, didn’t want September 11th to be the first time.”
