NY Jets target Aaron Rodgers finally speaks after darkness retreat

New York Jets fans have been waiting for Aaron Rodgers to say something

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has finally spoken publicly for the first time after his darkness retreat last week. Rodgers appeared on a podcast with Aubrey Marcus in which he discussed his experience with the retreat and also touched on where he stands in his decision-making process for the next step in his career.

The 39-year-old passer admitted that he did think about his career while in the retreat.

“I spent parts of a couple of the days imagining what it would be like to retire, and then imagining what it would be like to continue to play,” Rodgers said.

One particular comment by Rodgers was interesting as it pertains to the New York Jets. “It’s best for anybody who has an interest in this to make a decision sooner rather than later,” Rodgers said. This can be interpreted as a subtle message to the Jets, who have shown interest in Derek Carr but are seemingly waiting on Rodgers’ decision to determine whether they want to move forward with Carr.

Rodgers compared his situation to Brett Favre’s in 2008, which also culminated in a legendary Packers quarterback joining the Jets.

“I remember before Favre retired, there were times in April and May, we weren’t sure if he was going to come back becuase he didn’t come to any of the offseason program. Then in 2008, he actually did retire in March and then said, ‘No, no, no’ in June after OTAs, ‘I actually want to come back and play.’ That’s when he was traded to the Jets. There was obviously a lot of tension that summer. For everybody involved directly and indirectly, it’s best for a decision earlier.”

Continuing, Rodgers spoke about his confidence in the thought process that has gone into his decision.

“I feel really good about the conversations that are going to be had, that have been had with important people in my life. Yourself included. But I’m not looking for somebody to tell me what the answer is. All the answers are right inside me. I touched many of the feelings on both sides in the darkness. I’m thankful for that time.”

Rodgers expects he will make a decision “soon enough”.

“There’s a finality to the decision,” Rodgers said. “I don’t make it lightly. I don’t want to drag anybody around. I’m answering questions about it because I got asked about it. I’m talking about it because it’s important to me. If you don’t like it and you think it’s drama, and you think I’m being a diva or whatever, then just tune it out. That’s fine. But this is my life. It’s important to me. I’ll make a decision soon enough and we’ll go down that road. I’ll be really excited about it.”

Tomorrow ⚫️ @aaronrodgers12@aubreymarcus

*Subscribe to the Aubrey Marcus Podcast on YouTube, iTunes, or Spotify to get notified when the episode drops.

Footage from my documentary about the darkness, “Awake In The Darkness” on YouTube#aaronrodgers #greenbaypackers #packers pic.twitter.com/PoxxrtaSDL

— Aubrey Marcus (@AubreyMarcus) February 28, 2023