‘I’m Here Because I Believe in This Team’

But as Rodgers said, a lot of the drawing power of this job came from his personal motivation, at the age of 39 (and turning 40 in December) to continue to have “joy” from continuing to excel at his chosen profession.

“I’m an old guy,” he said, “so I want to be part of a team that can win it all. And I believe this is a place we can get that done.”

If that didn’t send this day into the surreal zone for Jets followers everywhere, nothing will. Rodgers wasn’t offering a Namathian guarantee. He said he wasn’t a savior. But he clearly expressed the feeling that he and these Jets can make some noise and do some damage.

“This is an opportunity to be a part of a city that’s hungry, a team with an incredible fan base that’s hungry to win again. Twelve years without playoffs, not a Super Bowl win since Super Bowl III — it’s been a long time. So the opportunity to be a part of something special here, it’s different,” Rodgers said. “It’s similar to Green Bay in that way. In a city like Green Bay and, I assume, for a team like the New York Jets, you can go down in history and there’s something special about adding that to your legacy.”

This was a day for Rodgers and his new entourage to bask in the moment, although some reporters understandably asked whether this was a “one-and-done” for him, a la Brett Favre in 2008, or if his Jets career would extend past 2023.

“Right now, I’m just going to focus on this season. I’m excited about being here,” he said, adding in response to another question, “Again, I’m an older player. It’s about a lot more than just the playing part. The body part comes into play, which is the reason I take care of myself. I’ve always dreamt about being a starter into my 40s. I’m going to be here for the foreseeable future.”

So Rodgers didn’t say yes about a Jets year two but he didn’t say no. And he definitely did offer a positive about when he’ll start joining offseason practices. Would it be training camp? The mandatory minicamp in June? OTAs in a few…