Jets’ Robert Saleh Defends Decision to Play Aaron Rodgers in Preseason Finale
The four-time NFL MVP has not played in a preseason game since 2018.
Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the team’s final preseason game is valuable for New York’s preparation heading into the 2023 NFL season.
The Jets will face the Giants in their preseason finale. Rodgers, who has not played at all so far this preseason, last appeared in a preseason game in ’18. Even more, the franchise has a record of preseason quarterback injuries against the Giants, including Chad Pennington in ’03 and Mark Sanchez in ’13.
While there is a possibility that Rodgers—or any player—could get hurt during a game, Saleh believes that he cannot “coach scared” and playing the four-time MVP allows the team to build continuity heading into Week 1.
“…You can’t play scared,” Saleh said. “You can slip out of your car and have something happen to you. … Kansas City is playing their guys, Buffalo is playing their guys. It’s not uncommon. You can always play the hindsight game, the fearful game, but what’s in the best interest of our team is going out and playing some football together and preparing ourselves the best way we can for Sept. 11.”
In addition to starting Rodgers, Saleh plans to get the 39-year-old as well as the other Jets starters multiple reps before the start of the regular season.
“I don’t want to just throw [Rodgers] out there for a series and get him out,” Saleh said. “I’d like to see those guys go through transition, get to the sideline, have some adjustments, get back to the field, play with those adjustments. You’d like to see that transition happen a few times.”