Jets owner Woody Johnson called it a “momentary distraction” to have quarterback Aaron Rodgers linked to the vice presidency.
Rodgers was not selected as the running mate for independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. despite speculation that he would be paired with his friend instead of eventual choice Nicole Shanahan.
So, what’s next for Rodgers?
“He is getting back to football 100 percent,” Johnson said during an appearance Monday on Fox News to discuss attending a fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. “He never left football. That was a momentary distraction — maybe like going in the dark room or whatever. But he’s back 100 percent. Great leader. I tell the receivers, ‘You count to 10, hold your hands up and look around, the ball will be there.’”
The “dark room” is a reference to the darkness retreat that Rodgers, 40, took last offseason while with the Packers, before deciding he wanted to put off retirement and play for the Jets.
The four-time NFL MVP is rehabbing from the season-ending torn Achilles that he suffered on the first offensive series of his first season with the Jets. Rodgers will return to play behind a revamped offensive line – left tackle Tyron Smith and left guard John Simpson were signed in free agency and right tackle Morgan Moses was acquired in a trade.
“If we can keep him on his feet, which I think we can,” Johnson said, “it’s going to be an exciting start to the season.”
Johnson left Jets ownership in the hands of his brother Christopher to serve as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom during Trump’s first presidential term.
