Robert Saleh is a smart man, but he seems to think that Father Time doesn't apply to Aaron Rodgers. The New York Jets quarterback is 40 years old and in fact, he'll be turning 41 in December.
Don't tell that to Saleh, though.
In Thursday's press conference ahead of his team's season-opening game with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, Saleh spoke very highly of his quarterback. Understandably, Saleh is ecstatic to have him back in what he and every Jets fan hopes is a full-season debut after rupturing his Achilles during the opening drive last season.
Saleh said that Rodgers is "in a great place" both mentally and physically.
Coach Saleh on the expectations for @AaronRodgers12 this season pic.twitter.com/L5Kdcq6ARj
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 5, 2024
"I think he's prepared... if he continues to stay focused on that, which he will, he's a professional," Saleh told reporters. "He's done it a long time, he's not a 40-year-old quarterback. I think he'll be just fine."
Listen, it's no surprise that Saleh has green-colored glasses on. He doesn't want to face the fact that his coaching career lies on the shoulders of a 40-year-old quarterback whose body is recovering from a brutal injury. Let's face it, though, a soon-to-be 41-year-old quarterback coming off a severe injury isn't something you can just brush aside. Maybe Rodgers has one last hurrah in him. That's what the Jets are resting their laurels on.
@NYJets
We all saw what this team looks like with an incompetent quarterback despite their stout defense and talented playmakers. The Jets don't want to think about doing that again anytime soon. Saleh said "it's been a long time coming" when talking about success.
That being said, Rodgers is a lot of things. One of those things is being a 40-year-old quarterback. Sorry, Coach. Here's to hoping that Rodgers can turn back the clock for Saleh's sake.
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