Young Jets players in awe of new teammate Aaron Rodgers - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers' new teammates on the New York Jets have spent a week getting to know him — on and off the field — and they don't mind admitting they're awed by his presence.

Linebacker Quincy Williams, 26, said he was «starstruck» upon seeing his new quarterback for the first time on the practice field.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, 22, did a double take when he saw the four-time MVP in the weight room, saying, «This is something 20 years from now, 30 years from now, I'll tell my kids: 'I played with Aaron Rodgers.'»

Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, 23, said the sight of Rodgers in the huddle created «a surreal feeling.»

Cornerback Sauce Gardner, 22, sat next to Rodgers on celebrity row at the New York Knicks' playoff game Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, rubbing elbows with Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan and Dave Chappell.

«Everybody knew who he was,» Gardner said of Rodgers, sharing the moment with reporters Wednesday on a Zoom call. «I was able to be in his shadow a little bit. It was a great feeling.»

These are some of the brightest young stars on the Jets, and yet they seemed a bit overwhelmed by Rodgers' arrival in New York.

Rodgers, whose trade to the Jets became official last Wednesday, has remained in New Jersey instead of returning home to California. He didn't participate in voluntary workouts in recent years with the Green Bay Packers, but he's breaking from his norm as he tries to get acclimated with his new team.

He has raised the energy level — and expectation level — around the Jets, who haven't made the playoffs since 2010 — the NFL's longest active postseason drought.

«We expect to compete with everyone in the league, beat everyone in the league, be one of the better teams in the league,»