Aaron Rodgers skipped Jets minicamp for Egypt trip, acknowledges fine

Aaron Rodgers' offseason excursion to Egypt during mandatory minicamp made quite a few headlines.

The New York Jets quarterback has another trip in mind. And it would be even bigger news.

"The goal is New Orleans," Rodgers said Wednesday, referring to the site of this season's Super Bowl.

The 40-year-old Rodgers is putting the torn left Achilles tendon that abruptly ended his season last year after just four snaps behind him and focusing on big dreams for a franchise that has the NFL's longest active playoff drought at 13 years. And the Jets' last Super Bowl appearance is still its only one, when Joe Namath led them to a victory in 1969.

"It has to be the goal," Rodgers said after the team's first practice of training camp. "The beauty is that every single year, there's eight to 12 teams, maybe, probably less, but eight to 12 teams that can actually do it.

"And, we're one of those eight to 12."

That mirrored Rodgers' comments from a year ago, when he said the Jets were among six to 12 teams with a realistic shot to win it all. Those plans, of course, were sunk when Rodgers went down in the season opener against Buffalo.

But there's renewed optimism now with Rodgers back on the practice field and feeling healthy — and plenty motivated.

"It's going to take a little time," Rodgers acknowledged. "I feel great. ... I just need the reps. The last 5% of being 100% is just the mental part."

The four-time NFL MVP has been practicing since late last season and is doing almost everything now on the field that he was before the injury.

"He looked good," coach Robert Saleh said. "He can sling it. He can still sling it. He moved around real good, too, with just his lower-half movement."

Rodgers was with the team during voluntary