Jets' 'Standard Set' With Aaron Rodgers?

The New York Jets were desperate for a franchise quarterback who could help change the franchise's fortunes and show others the way forward.

Last offseason, that player was Aaron Rodgers.

Now, after only lasting four plays in 2023 due to an Achilles injury, Rodgers is back and seemingly over the dreadful injury. Part of his role is, of course, to win football games, but also to help bring his teammates along as well.

Having not had a player of Rodgers' caliber in decades, the Jets would be foolish not to soak up every bit of information A-Rod dishes out.

For receiver Garrett Wilson, Rodgers has been the one to help set the standards at practice.

"The guy is just so great and so us, as competitors and athletes, we want to match that greatness," Wilson said . "We want to find a way to reach his level and he brings that out in us with just the way he is. He's the type of guy that makes you think at practice and it's good for us. It's not like that everywhere, it's not always like that with guys, so just knowing what he demands, he can make us all work really hard to reach that standard that has been set."

The entire Jets organization and fan base hope that Rodgers lasts a little longer than he did last season. With an offensive line that has three upgrades in Morgan Moses, Tyron Smith, and John Simpson, Rodgers' protection is beefed up, and considering the Jets gave up 64 sacks last year (fourth-worst), that's a good thing.

With a quarterback of Rodgers' caliber, he can help elevate those around him. If players like Wilson, Mike Williams , Breece Hall, and Allen Lazard can all take their game up a notch, then the Jets will be in business in 2024.

Related: Can Jets Protect Aaron Rodgers from Unwanted Sack Record?

Some have the Jets as genuine Super Bowl contenders, while others think the injury issues with key players (Rodgers, Tyron Smith, Mike Williams) is a recipe for disaster.

But time will tell just how good this Jets team can be, and with Rodgers setting the standards high, if everything clicks, New York will be a force in 2024.