Rodgers makes use of new model of 'chill out' after Jets' loss

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Ten years in the past, quarterback Aaron Rodgers famously instructed a nervous Green Bay Packers fan base to “R-E-L-A-X” after the group’s 1-2 begin.

Coming off the New York Jets‘ blowout loss on Monday evening, Rodgers dusted off the oldie however goodie, delivering a revised model Wednesday for followers — and maybe teammates — who may be edgy concerning the group’s present plight.

“I feel we all the time have to remain relaxed,” he mentioned. “It is a lengthy season. I feel, at occasions, individuals assume the season is such as you’re out within the prairie or the desert and also you’re transferring round looking for water, nevertheless it’s extra like a pleasant, gradual Bolero, the place we’re simply swaying with the music and reacting to no matter involves us and thru us, simply making an attempt to not get too excessive with the highs or too low with the lows.”

Maybe fittingly, the Jets — 32-19 losers to the San Francisco 49ers — will head to Music Metropolis in quest of their first win. They face the Tennessee Titans (0-1) on Sunday at Nissan Stadium, seeking to remove the sting of a season-opening defeat that fueled panic amongst some followers.

“The league is rather a lot totally different than after I mentioned ‘chill out’ years in the past in that there is simply a lot extra protection [and] there’s a lot extra alternative for overreaction,” Rodgers mentioned. “So I get it. We wish to win, the followers wish to win, the group needs to win, however the course of must be the identical.

“If it is ok in Week 1, it is ok within the playoffs, so we have to stay to the method and the preparation, the best way that goes, and belief that it is ok.”

After Rodgers’ “R-E-L-A-X” remark, the Packers gained 4 straight, completed 12-4 and reached the NFC Championship Sport. He delivered that line on Sept. 23, 2014 — a 10-year anniversary of types.

Talking of anniversaries, Rodgers mentioned he obtained an early-morning textual content Wednesday (he would not say from whom) reminding him that it was on today final 12 months (Sept. 11, 2023) that he tore his left Achilles on the fourth snap of the season.

Reflecting on the previous 12 months, Rodgers mentioned “there was plenty of emotion, plenty of perspective and gratitude. So rather a lot has modified within the 12 months and I am glad to nonetheless be enjoying and really feel wholesome.” Clearly, he needed to maintain the concentrate on the following opponent and sharpening sure points of his sport.

Towards the 49ers, Rodgers accomplished 13 of 21 makes an attempt for 167 yards, one landing and one interception. He led the Jets on two landing drives.

“I be ok with what I did on the market,” he mentioned. “For essentially the most half, I felt like my ft had been good, the perfunctory alerts had been good [and] refined changes. There are some issues I can clear up, for positive, nevertheless it was good to get again on the market and really feel like I used to be within the move no less than.”

“He seemed superior,” tight finish Tyler Conklin mentioned. “A few of the throws that he made on the market, clearly he did not lose his arm expertise, proper? That was his first time enjoying soccer in a 12 months, so I can solely think about how he’ll be feeling after we get rolling.”

The Jets will must be higher on protection, which allowed eight straight scoring drives on Monday evening. They surrendered 180 speeding yards, as backup operating again Jordan Mason gashed them with cutback runs to the surface. Gamers mentioned there will likely be an emphasis this week on tightening up their edges.

Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who mentioned he apologized to teammates for having a subpar sport, mentioned they could be capable to rattle Titans quarterback Will Levis.

“He is a gifted athlete and might throw the ball fairly effectively,” Johnson mentioned, “however simply watching movie and simply understanding some issues about him, particularly when he comes out, he is a kind of guys that, when issues aren’t going his means, he type of can panic a bit early.”