One of Aaron Glenn’s first decisions as Jets coach was to release Aaron Rodgers.
He hasn’t spoken much about Rodgers since he was hired in January.
But the two will be on the same field when the Steelers visit the Jets on Sunday. When asked what he saw from Rodgers’ film during his time with the Jets, Glenn declined to answer.
“That’s been gone,” Glenn said. “So I’m not answering questions about guys that’s not here and what I’ve saw. Right now, I’m looking at what our guys can do.”
Glenn was asked a follow-up question about scouting Rodgers now, and Glenn still declined to answer.
“Just like I said, I’m not going to sit there and answer questions on what I saw back then, that does it,” he said. “That’s not relevant to right now.”
It is no secret that the Rodgers/Jets divorce was messy. Rodgers ripped Glenn for the handling of his release in February. During an April appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers, 41, said he flew out to New Jersey from his Malibu, California home for what he expected to be a meeting with Glenn and new Jets general manager Darren Mougey. However, the meeting lasted 15 minutes, and according to Rodgers, Glenn failed to show “ample respect” after the two began speaking.
Rodgers stated that Glenn abruptly left the room to get Mougey, and then they told the four-time NFL MVP that they would be releasing him. Rodgers eventually signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers in June, which included $10 million guaranteed.
“Honestly, he hasn’t made a big deal out of it,” Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones said about Rodgers’ return to MetLife Stadium. “I think that’s good for us and even for him because just going in there with a clear mind and not having that Superman mentality.
“Just going in there, stick to our game plan.”
Glenn did praise Rodgers when talking about the challenges he will present during Sunday’s game against the Jets.
“I mean, that’s really nothing to talk about because of who he is,” Glenn said. “So challenges in all ways as far as him as a thrower, getting the guys in and out of the huddle, being able to see the defense, and being able to put the guys in the right position.
“So listen, guys, he’s a future Hall of Famer. We all know that. So he’s going to cause the problems no matter what.”
The Jets acquired Rodgers in a trade with the Packers in the spring of 2023. He spent two seasons with the Jets, one of them being abruptly cut short due to an Achilles tear four plays into his debut.
Rodgers returned last year, but looked like the shell of the player that he once was in Green Bay. He passed for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Jets finished with a disappointing 5-12 record, in which they fired former coach Robert Saleh and ex-general manager Joe Douglas during the season.
Glenn says there is an advantage to the Jets’ defense practicing against Rodgers all last summer.
“I do. I do, but I mean, this guy’s a vet,” Glenn said. “He’s seen it all. He’s one against a number of guys.
“But I do think there is some value to our guys to be able to be a part of that. Here’s what I do know, I know that those guys had a really good relationship and he’s talked to them, just about football in general, you know, and our guys, they really took that in and they’ve grown from all those things. So there’s value to making sure that you’re on a team with a player like that. And I know you help those guys a lot.”
Simpson, Gardner, and Taylor return to practice
After not being seen at practice last week, cornerback Sauce Gardner, left guard John Simpson, and backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor practiced on Tuesday.
Gardner has been dealing with a calf injury since training camp. Simpson has missed practices this summer because of a lingering back issue.
Taylor had arthroscopic knee surgery last month, which sidelined him for most of the preseason and training camp. Glenn said Taylor had “minor scope” and was confident that he would return for the Jets’ season opener.
The Jets will release their first injury report of the season on Wednesday.
