Joe Namath knows better than most what Aaron Rodgers brings to the Jets … 54 long years after Super Bowl III … 54 long years after Namath danced on Cloud Nine off the Orange Bowl field in Miami with a finger in the air, and a ring and a bust in Canton eventually waiting for him. 

“It gives us a legitimate shot,” an excited Namath told The Post. 

“He gives ’em a legitimate shot of making the playoffs and even going further than the first, second round. 

“He makes ’em a Super Bowl contender, I honest to God believe that.” 

Then Joe Namath began talking about Aaron Rodgers the way the NFL always talked about Joe Namath. 

I asked him what catches his eye about Rodgers, and Broadway Joe said: 

“His passing ability, No. 1. No. 2, I can’t tell what’s going through his head, but whenever we watch him, we never see him confused. He knows where he’s going it seems at all times. Being able to change the speed on the ball, the tight passes, whether he’s running left or right or in the pocket, changing the speed of his passes, knowing the trajectory. 

“He’s wonderful. 

“Who was it today that said he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer already?” 

Only everyone. 

Lights, camera … Aaron. 

A star town welcomed the biggest star the Jets have called their own since Broadway Joe himself. 

On this day, inside a packed auditorium inside the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, the Jets showed highlights of Rodgers, summoned to try to do for them what Mark Messier did back in 1994 for the Rangers, when Rodgers was a 10-year-old boy. 

“I’m an old guy,” the 39-year-old Rodgers said, “so I want to be a part of a team that could win it all, and I believe this is a place we can get that done.” 

He came here to win, and to win big: 

“I’m not here to be a stopgap to have a mediocre season,” Rodgers said. “We want to win the whole thing.” 

He’s here to help bring the Jets back. All the way back. 

“I noticed walking in this morning that that Super Bowl III trophy’s looking a little lonely,” Rodgers said with a smile. 

Rodgers mentioned the word legacy, and talked about playing for a hungry city and the passionate Jets fans, and a team he believes in and his fondness for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. And it sounded as if he will play as long as he is healthy, having fun and inspiring others. 

“I’m not here to be a savior of any kind,” he said. 

Oh yes you are. 

“I’m OK if that’s the perception. I’m fine with that. I know the expectation is to play great,” Rodgers said. 

Don’t be one-and-done in New York like Brett Favre was in 2008. 

“They definitely gave up some picks for me to be here,” Rodgers said. “So this isn’t like a one-and-done in my mind.” 

Of course that can all change. But the Jets are optimistic Rodgers will see the light without the necessity or urgency of a darkness retreat. 

On Monday, after months of speculation and rumors, the Jets and Packers came to an agreement on a trade that brings four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to New York.

The trade immediately upgrades the Jets from rising team to playoff contender with the hopes that Rodgers will help break one of the longest active postseason droughts in sports.

The Jets receive: Aaron Rodgers, No. 15 pick (2023) and No. 170 pick (2023).

The Packers receive: No. 13 pick (2023), No. 42 pick (2023), No. 207 pick (2023) and a conditional second-round 2024 draft pick that conveys to a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ plays in 2023.

The trade still needs to be finalized — the terms of Rodgers’ contract need to be worked out — and sent to the NFL.

Both teams will begin feeling this deal as early as Thursday at the 2023 NFL Draft.

For the Packers, it’s now about getting fourth-year QB Jordan Love ready to take over. With Gang Green, it’s about getting a whole host of new faces on the same page offensively.

Read more of The Post’s Aaron Rodgers coverage

“It’s about being fully committed for that season,” Rodgers said. “If that rubs some people the wrong way, so be it. But I want to be all-in and my yes to be a full F-yes when it is yes, and it is, and I’m excited to be here and excited to get going. … We’ll figure out all that other stuff down the line.” 

Understood. You don’t make promises you can’t keep. 

“He’s gonna owe ’em exactly what he’s gonna give ’em, and that’s every bit of energy and every bit of dedication to winning them games and winning a championship,” Namath said. 

Rodgers was comfortable in the spotlight. New York won’t scare him. 

“You know you always have a chance when he’s behind the center, “ Namath said. “When he has the ball, you’ve got a chance. A good chance.” 

The kind of chance the Jets haven’t had during their 12-year playoff drought. 

“It’s giving us serious hope. … It’s giving us serious hope, knowing that we have the guy there that can get us there,” Namath said. 

Guaranteed.