Aaron Rodgers faces high expectations from Jets DE Jermaine Johnson ahead of 2024 season
Aaron Rodgers had a season to forget in 2023 but Jermaine Johnson is expecting him to take up his mantle as team leader again in 2024. Last year, after all the excitement of acquiring him from the Packers and then an inside look in Hard Knocks, the quarterback played four snaps in the first game before tearing his Achilles.
He is 40 years old, coming back from a long layoff and rehabilitation, has been in myriad controversies over the past year due to some of his opinions, and missed the mandatory minicamp because he had booked a trip to Egypt. But Aaron Rodgers still has the support of Jermaine Johnson who said he is excited to be his teammate and backed him to come good for the 2024 NFL season.
Speaking to the NFL network, the Jets pass rusher said that he grew up watching the quarterback play and is excited to play with a future Hall-of-Famer. He noted,
"First ballot Hall of Famer, that will never change. I am just excited to play with him, I grew up watching him. I am excited to be his teammate, I know he is going to come through for us."
Jermaine Johnson says Aaron Rodgers missing mandatory minicamp OK with Jets
Jermaine Johnson also highlighted that while much was made about Aaron Rodgers missing the mandatory minicamp, it was not an issue within the team at all. He said to the NFL Network,
"Zero impact. We didn't care. He [Rodgers] had stuff he had to handle."
It corroborates reports that the Jets were already aware of why the quarterback would miss it and Robert Saleh probably misspoke when it called it "unexcused".
Based on all he had to say, it seems clear that Jermaine Johnson believes that Aaron Rodgers will be a key player for the Jets in the 2024 season. Unluckily for the quarterback, however, his defensive colleague will not be able to help him when he is on the field directing the offense.
Last season, the offensive line was poor which led to his injury and there was no elite weapon other than Garrett Wilson despite the clutch of former Packers who moved to New York. They have replenished through the draft and will be looking at rookies to come good and Aaron Rodgers' nous to power an offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets will be hoping to maintain their status as one of the best units in the league and Jermaine Johnson will have to play a role in that.