While Aaron Rodgers may not be channeling Joe Namath and promising a win, he does have a promise for New York Jets fans in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
The former Green Bay Packers quarterback will make his New York debut against the Bills on Monday Night Football, and he assured supporters a great effort from the home team.
According to Jets writer Harrison Glaser on Twitter, Rodgers avoided following in Namath's footsteps and guaranteeing a win, but he did promise that the Jets would be ready to face the Bills.
"I guarantee there will be 11 players on the offensive, defensive, and special teams sides who will go out and play their hearts out for each other, for the fans, and for the organization," Rodgers stated, according to Glaser.
Rodgers also reminded Jets fans to "show up early, be as loud as you possibly can, and put your seat belt on because it's gonna be a wild ride."
Rodgers acknowledged that he is nervous about making his regular-season debut in New York. Rodgers was traded to the Jets by the Packers last April,
and he told The Associated Press that he felt "some butterflies" in his preseason debut with the Jets. Rodgers also stated that he expected some pregame "jitters" before the game against the Bills,
but that he intends to get over them fast with the help of the home fans. "A lot of tears, a lot of sobbing, probably," Rodgers quipped when asked how it will feel to run onto the field for the first time as a Jet.
"No, I'm not going to be bad. I'm going to be excited to be out there with the fans, hopefully seeing the throng out there early."Get all of your nerves out of the way probably in pregame,
then go out and attempt to execute."Last season, the Bills defeated the Packers 27-17 on Sunday Night Football on October 30. Rodgers was restricted to 203 yards on 19-of-30 passing in the contest against the Bills.