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NY Post
New York Post
11 Sep 2023


NextImg:Jerry Rice knows just how Aaron Rodgers feels — and thinks it will save the Jets

Jerry Rice has a good feeling about Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

The Hall-of-Fame wideout told The Post he thinks Rodgers, 39, will return to the regular season inspired and reenergized after he was traded to the Jets in April, following 18 seasons in Green Bay.

Rice, now 60, can relate.

He joined the Raiders in 2001 after 16 years with the San Francisco 49ers — where he won three Super Bowls.

While he had his fair share of doubters en route to the Oakland (now Las Vegas), Rice didn’t disappoint during his Raiders tenure (2001-04), which included a Pro Bowl nod in 2002 and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Rice — who partnered with PepsiCo + Frito-Lay’s 2023 NFL Kickoff campaign, “Unretirement” — has “high hopes” for Rodgers and the Jets, and believes critics will help motivate the four-time MVP.

“That might energize him a little bit more because he knows the critics,” Rice said. “They’re going to say, ‘He’s not going to be the Aaron Rodgers of old and the way he dominated in Green Bay,’ — and, you know, that might just inspire him to focus a little bit harder and get it done.” 

Aaron Rodgers looks on against the New York Giants during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium.
Getty Images

When Rice went to play across the Bay — where he said he “always wanted to play with [former wideout] Tim Brown” — he felt energized because he was hungry to prove himself to a new group of guys.

That’s exactly what he did.

Rice caught 243 passes for 3,286 yards and 18 touchdowns on his way to becoming the 10th-leading receiver in Raiders history.

 Wide receiver Jerry Rice #80 of the Oakland Raiders runs after the catch during the game against the New York Jets on November 9, 2003 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California.

Wide receiver Jerry Rice of the Oakland Raiders runs after the catch during the game against the New York Jets in 2003.
Getty Images

“Once I got over there, I still kept my same standard,” Rice said. “All of a sudden now those players see you doing this, making a catch and going for like 80 yards for the touchdown, then all of a sudden they start doing the same thing.”

Rice explained Rodgers has all the tools to lead the Jets to the promise land, and believes they have a “legitimate chance” this year.

“You can just tell in preseason,” Rice said of Rodgers, who played nine snaps and threw an impressive touchdown pass in his preseason Jets start — a 32-24 victory over the Giants in the finale.

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Aaron Rodgers warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 26, 2023.
Getty Images

“I know he only got an opportunity to play in one game, but his control of the huddle, the way points work, the way the players play around him — you can tell they want to protect him and they just want to give him the opportunity to be great.

“The young receivers are stepping up. So when you get a guy that demands respect like that, you’re not going to let him down. So, I have high hopes for the Jets this year. I feel like they have a legitimate chance.”

Rodgers will make his regular season debut with the Jets in their home opener against the Bills on “Monday Night Football.”

(L-R) Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Dan Marino, Randy Moss in PepsiCo's "Unretirement" commercial for the 2023 NFL Kickoff.

(L-R) Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Dan Marino, Randy Moss in PepsiCo’s “Unretirement” commercial for the 2023 NFL Kickoff.
PepsiCo

Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice in PepsiCo's "Unretirement" commercial for the 2023 NFL Kickoff.

Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice in PepsiCo’s “Unretirement” commercial for the 2023 NFL Kickoff.
PepsiCo

Rice starred PepsiCo’s 2023 NFL Kickoff spot, “Unretirement,” with an incredible lineup of NFL talent, including fellow retired legends Tom Brady, Dan Marino, Randy Moss and Emmitt Smith.