Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers is set to return for a second season with the New York Jets after missing all but a handful of snaps last year due to a torn Achilles in 2023.
Rodgers, 40, is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in modern NFL history. He’s also been the subject of major drama due to a number of supposedly divisive statements on the part of the former Green Bay Packers star.
Love him or hate him, Rodgers is never afraid to make his opinion known on a wide variety of issues.
Even then, it was a surprise earlier this year when the former Cal-Berkley standout was named as one of the top running mate candidates for independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr.
Would Rodgers actually give up his career as an NFL player to run on a third-party ticket that has no real chance of winning in November?
It’s all pretty much moot now that Kennedy Jr. has chosen Nicole Shanahan as his running mate for the election against incumbent Joe Biden (D) and former president Donald Trump (R).
In talking to the media on Tuesday, Rodgers offered an interesting take when asked how serious he was about becoming Kennedy’s running mate.
Related: Jets QB Aaron Rodgers Gives Updated Retirement Timeline – Brady In His Sights?
Aaron Rodgers Almost Opted To Retire From The NFL For Politics
In speaking to media from Jets organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday, Rodgers was asked about his role as a potential running mate with Kennedy Jr.
The enigmatic quarterback indicated that he had some great conversations with the contender. But in the end, he ultimately chose to return to the NFL for a 20th season.
Rodgers was never likely to become vice president. While Kennedy Jr. has mounted a decent offense against Biden and Trump, he’s more of a spoiler at this point. The son of former U.S. Sentator Robert Kennedy is currently polling at roughly 8%.
It made no real sense for Rodgers to give up his historical pro football career to join a ticket that is facing long odds against Biden and Trump.
Even then, he’s continued to receive the praise of Kennedy Jr.
On the field, Rodgers had in the past made it clear that anything that’s a distraction from football can’t be part of the lexicon in Jersey.
“Anything in this building that we’re doing that has nothing to do with winning needs to be assessed,” Rodgers said back in January. “Everything that we do has to have a purpose … the bull—- that has nothing to do with winning has to get out of the building.”
Whether his brief foray into politics can be seen as a distraction remains to be seen. What we do know is that Rodgers is back as QB1 for the Jets in 2024. After that, a dip into the political realm seems to be likely.
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