Jets' QB Rodgers speculates on playing future, laments 'when football was hard'

It's easier now for New York Jets ' quarterback Aaron Rodgers than it's ever been.

The 40-year-old field general will participate in his 20th NFL training camp beginning this week , but it won't resemble the ones from earlier in his career. Appearing on Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take podcast on Monday, Rodgers addressed how the preseason has changed over the years, and he also hinted at how many more years he intends to play.

"Back when football was hard, a long time ago, when there was real double days, physically, it was the worst. Mentally, I didn't feel like it was as bad," said Rodgers. "Now, it's all mental. You're sitting around all day long in interesting meetings and the practice is short. It's not even that hard and you don't play in preseason [games]. We used to play in preseason. We'd play 15 plays, then a quarter and a half, then into the third quarter."

Rodgers saw action in last summer's preseason finale against the New York Giants , throwing a memorable touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. This season, however, it wouldn't be shocking if the four-time NFL MVP remains on the sidelines until Week 1 in San Francisco.

After tearing his Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 season opener, Rodgers has vigorously rehabilitated his left leg and practiced, without physical restrictions, during voluntary OTAs this past spring. He's admittedly determined to make a successful return for Gang Green, but his future seems undecided past the 2024 season.

"This one for sure," said Rodgers when asked how many more seasons he intends to play before retiring. "I wanted to do two good ones to give us a chance to retire a Jet - win two Super Bowls."

With just one Super Bowl win, Rodgers would become even more of a football immortal than he already is.