Rodgers ´on last couple holes´ of NFL career, fancies Super Bowl LIX chances

Aaron Rodgers admits he is “on the last couple holes” of his glittering NFL career, but the 40-year-old fancies his chances of winning his second Super Bowl ring with the New York Jets this season.

Rodgers joined the Jets last year after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, who he inspired to victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

However, the four-time league MVP suffered a ruptured Achilles against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 and missed the remainder of the 2023 season as the Jets went 7-10.

Now fully fit ahead of the Jets’ 2024 opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Rodgers is keen to make his 20th campaign in the NFL count as he approaches the end of his career.

“I’m on the last couple holes,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. “I said back nine, it’s strange because I don’t wake up and think I’m 40. I just think I’m still playing football.

“This keeps you young. I feel like I’m going to work with the 20-year-olds. I’m twice their age. Some of these people might have parents that are my age.

“But I don’t feel old mentally, physically. I feel differently than I did when I was messing around. You have to have a little different approach to your health and wellness, the older you get, to be able to stay as young as you possibly can.

“I’m not going to run really fast but I feel like I can still throw it anywhere I want.”

Introducing your 2024 team captains. pic.twitter.com/eepIDjjWDa

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 3, 2024

The Jets have not reached the postseason since going to the AFC Championship game in the 2010 season, and have endured eight losing seasons in a row.

However, the presence of Rodgers, star receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, among others, has fans dreaming of a run to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Rodgers is confident the team will be there or thereabouts, saying: “In the end, it’s usually the best teams that are there, and there’s usually eight to 12 of those teams.

“Whether you want to admit it or not, in camp, everybody knows in the back of their minds whether or not they’re one of those eight to 12 teams.

“We are one of those eight to 12 teams. Everybody knows it. Our defense is going to be a top-10 defense, for sure. Offensively, we have the ability and the talent to be a top-10 offense, so we’re going to be there come December.

“I love our chances and know it’s going to be a successful season for us. We’re praying for some good health, but we have the talent and ability to be one of the last two teams standing.”

Us right now pic.twitter.com/nsVZVz89Sc

— NFL (@NFL) September 4, 2024