Why 'vintage' Aaron Rodgers should have the Jets thinking Super Bowl

What Aaron Rodgers did last Thursday night in the New York Jets' home opener was heralded as a "vintage" performance. It was as if he turned back the clock three years to his back-to-back MVP seasons. He suddenly wasn't a 40-year-old quarterback recovering from a major injury — he was right in the middle of his prime.

It was a welcomed blast from the past for a team that's been waiting for the old Rodgers to arrive for more than a year now. But it was something even more important for the star-crossed Jets franchise, too.

It was a possible glimpse of their future — one that includes a trip to Super Bowl LIX.

Never mind that it was only Week 3 and only against the New England Patriots. What the Jets did in their 24-3 win at the Meadowlands really was a sign of how good they can be with Rodgers at the helm. They're talented and deep, with no obvious holes on their roster. They have the pieces in place everywhere to dominate like that, even against better teams.

So yes, it's hard to believe because these are the New York Jets, one of the most cursed franchises in all of pro sports. They have a long history of showing promise, only to pull the rug right out from under their fan base. That certainly has the potential to happen again, given that no quarterback Rodgers' age has ever successfully returned from a torn Achilles.

But if he can — if he can stay healthy and keep playing like that, maybe this is more than just another tease. These Jets really can be the ones to break the spell and reach the franchise's first Super Bowl in 55 years.

Because Rodgers really is that good.

"He may not be what he used to be, but he still has plenty in those legs, and his arm's still 30, and his mind's still operating at a high level," said