Expectations for the New York Jets in the 2023 season skyrocketed when they acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. Owner Woody Johnson let his desires for a new starting quarterback be known, believing that was the last thing keeping his team from being a true contender.

General manager Joe Douglas made a huge splash, acquiring the biggest name quarterback that was available this offseason in Aaron Rodgers. So far, it is a relationship that looks like it will be fruitful.

Aaron Rodgers’ presence in practice was felt right from the start. Not only does he elevate the performance of the team around him, he has been a great leader on the field as well. He is helping teammates learn a playbook which he knows very well and admitted that the outbursts and frustrations he would have shown earlier in his career don’t occur anymore.

This is the happiest that Aaron Rodgers has been in a long time according to many teammates, which is certainly encouraging. More production will come when a player is having fun on the field.

It also helps when opponents light a fire under you. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton provided the Jets with plenty of bulletin board material when he ripped into their offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, for the job he did as Broncos’ head coach last year.

Aaron Rodgers came to the defense of his offensive coordinator, which has set the table for quite a matchup in Week 5. A motivated Aaron Rodgers is a dangerous player, and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark believes we are going to see the best version of him in 2023.

When Hackett was the offensive coordinator for the Packers in 2020 and 2021, Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award in both seasons. This is an offense that he is supremely comfortable in and capable of putting up some big numbers.

With a strong supporting cast around him, Aaron Rodgers will have a chance to return to that level after a down 2022 season. The arrow is certainly pointed up for the Jets, as they look to snap their 12-year playoff drought.