Robert Saleh reveals his plans for Aaron Rodgers' preseason schedule with the Jets

The New York Jets might not have Aaron Rodgers for preseason games. It's not a final call yet, but head coach Robert Saleh said on Tuesday that his "instinct" is that the starting quarterback won't play.

There is still a chance that Rodgers will play some snaps against the New York Giants on August 24, just like he did in last year's preseason, but it hasn't been decided at this point.

"We haven't really talked about it. My instinct right now as I stand here is, uh, we'll see," Saleh said. "My instinct is no, but I want to leave it open. That third game is a one-word sentence. He definitely won't play the first two. But the discussion on the third one, we just haven't quite had yet."

Before playing the Giants in the preseason finale, the Jets will face the Washington Commanders on August 10 at MetLife Stadium, and then at the Carolina Panthers on August 17. Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor is expected to start these two games.

Preseason track record

Over his last few years in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers wasn't playing preseason games for the Packers. Several times, the quarterback said training camp practices were more useful than exhibition games in order for the offense to get ready .

That being said, Rodgers did play two series for the Jets last year against the Giants. It was his first year with the team, and he completed five of eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown to Garrett Wilson .

Now, Rodgers is still recovering from an Achilles tear that made him miss all but four snaps in the 2023 season.

If Aaron Rodgers doesn't play in the preseason, his next action will be on September 9, when the Jets go to California to face the San Francisco 49ers in week 1, opening their regular season schedule.

Without Rodgers, the Jets offense will have at least three available quarterbacks to play preseason games. Tyrod Taylor, Andrew Peasley, and Adrian Martinez are on the active 90-man roster. The team also has Jordan Travis, but he's on the non-football injury list.

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