Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Preseason-New York Jets at New York Giants
(Florham Park, NJ) – Robert Saleh and the New York Jets answered Thursday whether or not Aaron Rodgers would play against the Giants in the team’s preseason finale. The decision to sit him may come as a disappointment to most fans, but it is one that the team is confident will work out.
Rodgers will instead start his season right where he lost his last one, on Monday night football, this time in San Francisco.
Andrew Peasley will start the game for New York as backup Tyrod Taylor will join Rodgers on the bench. It is likely that the quarterback play will be very similar to last week with Peasley playing the first half and Adrian Martinez taking over after halftime.
This is a significant change for Saleh, who has historically played his starters throughout the preseason. He feels that the time that the starting unit has had in practice – a reported 800 reps – will be enough that they don’t need to risk anything too early.
“You saw in OTAs with all the 7-on-7 stuff, he [Rodgers] was throwing the ball but he was doing it from the pocket.” Make no mistake though, “he has plenty of mobility” according to Saleh.
Rodgers will be 41 at season’s end, the Jets’ choice to not tax his system early will hopefully pay off with a deeper run into January.
