It’s been less than a week as quarterback of the New York Jets, and Aaron Rodgers is already “having a blast.”
Rodgers appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday to talk about how he has transitioned to his new home, including the reception he’s gotten attending New York Rangers and New York Knicks playoff games. The four-time NFL MVP admitted it’s been weird and different after spending 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but he’s enjoying getting used to being part of the Jets and feels reenergized.
“I am having an absolute blast. It’s been so fun,” Rodgers said. “It’s been great. Everything is new. It’s like the first day of school every single day. There’s new people to meet and got to figure out your routine.”
“I’m just pinching myself a lot of days. I can’t believe it’s real sometimes. So it’s been a dream for sure,” he added.
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Aaron Rodgers is ’embracing the change’
Rodgers said he is “embracing the change” of New York and meeting his new teammates, including going to the Rangers playoff game Saturday with running back Breece Hall and longtime teammate in Green Bay, receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard and Rodgers were also at Game 1 for the Knicks’ second-round playoff series the following night, and plans to go to Game 2 on Tuesday with reigning NFL defensive rookie of the year Sauce Gardner.
“I think everyone’s excited to have me here,” he said. “It’s been fun to get to know the guys and start working on my cadence and just kind of ease into it all.”
The quarterback also has praise for the “kind words” he received from fans while in New York, as well as meeting some of the city’s biggest celebrities like Spike Lee and Patrick Ewing.
“New York is a great sports city. They expect winning as well, so as long as you’re winning, you’re gonna be in good graces, which we expect,” Rodgers said.
In the few workouts Rodgers has had in New York in the past week, one person that’s caught his attention is reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year Garrett Wilson. He said some of his playmaking ability is like another No. 17 he used to play with: Davante Adams.
“He’s a talented guy. I threw him a pass today and just kind of turned and was like, ‘Wow.’ His ability to kind of get in out of his brakes, there’s another No. 17 I played with for a long time who does it better than anybody,” Rodgers said. “But the explosiveness in and out of the breaks to No. 17 here is pretty similar.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers: ‘It’s been a dream’ so far with New York Jets