Jets' Aaron Rodgers says he expects 'greatness' in comeback season - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Only days away from his 20th season, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in such an upbeat mood Thursday that he joked about last season's Achilles injury. Fully healed, the ever-confident star said he expects to deliver a memorable comeback season.

«I have a lot of pride in my performance, so when I take the field, I expect greatness because I've done it before,» Rodgers said before practice. «So that's the kind of standard I hold myself to.»

Rodgers, 40, the oldest player in the NFL, will face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, two days shy of the one-year anniversary of his torn Achilles. It happened on the fourth snap of the first game, essentially derailing the Jets' season.

«There might be a little smirk after the fourth [snap],» a smiling Rodgers said, looking ahead to Monday night.

Rodgers hasn't played a full game in 20 months, dating to his 2022 season finale with the Green Bay Packers. He also didn't play in the preseason, although he did take a large amount of practice reps (approximately 800) in training camp.

Despite his many accomplishments, including four MVPs and one Super Bowl championship, Rodgers said he still has something to prove.

«I've always kind of played with something on my shoulder,» he said. «You have to manufacture things from time to time, but, yeah, I mean, it kind of goes back to the proving it. Who would I need to prove it to? Just myself at this point.»

The Jets, who begin the season with Super Bowl aspirations, are counting heavily on Rodgers — again.

«I think he's in a great place,» coach Robert Saleh said. «Not just mentally, but physically he looks awesome. You guys have been there every day and you see how well he looked, how good he looks.… He's