Rodgers Passed on VP Nod Because He Wanted to Keep Playing (CNN)

[Warfish]

Aaron Rodgers says he passed on potential Robert F. Kennedy Jr. VP opportunity because he wanted to keep playing

 

By Ben Morse, CNN

 3 minute read 

Published 7:36 AM EDT, Wed May 22, 2024

Aaron Rodgers said on Tuesday that he chose to continue his NFL playing career rather than becoming Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate in the US presidential race.

CNN previously reported Kennedy had met with Rodgers about the possibility of joining Kennedy’s campaign. Kennedy ultimately named Silicon Valley attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his vice-presidential pick.

“There were really two options. Retire and be his VP or keep playing. I wanted to keep playing,” the 40-year-old Rodgers told reporters as the New York Jets quarterback spoke for the first time about the potential choice he had to make when it came to switching the pigskin for the podium.

CNN has reached out to the Kennedy campaign for comment.

Rodgers is entering his second season with the Jets after missing almost the entirety of his first campaign in New York having ruptured his left Achilles tendon just four snaps into his debut.

Although he returned to the practice field towards the end of last season, Rodgers never returned to NFL action in the 2024 season.

The Jets have begun their offseason program, beginning with organized team practice activities (OTA) which Rodgers has been a full participant in.

“It’s just about the mental part,” said Rodgers as he ramps up his return from injury, four months ahead of the new season.

“These practices have been nice the last couple of days. Feel what it’s like to be out there, to be moving around, to not be thinking about it and see how I respond the next day. This is the last part,” he added.

“The strength is good, the movement is good, just the confidence to do everything.”

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that Rodgers has no restrictions during practice sessions, and the four-time MVP says that he feels like he “can do anything” right now.

“I can run at top speed. It’s just, in those moments, the reactions coming naturally.”

After Rodgers’ injury in the opening game of the 2023 season, the Jets endured a disappointing season as a result of turbulent quarterback play and underwhelming offensive performances.

But with Rodgers back in the line-up, expectations are high ahead of the new season.

“Well, I think if I don’t do what I’m capable of doing, then we’re all probably gonna be out of here (next season),” Rodgers said. “I like that kind of pressure, though.

“I know it’s a tough market to play in; it’s not for everybody. Relish that opportunity. That’s the way the NFL is.

“As you get older in the league, if you do not perform, they’re going to get rid of you or bring in the next guy to take over. It happened in Green Bay, and I’m a few years older than I was back then. I expect to play at a high level, I expect us to be productive and competitive, and all that stuff to take care of itself.”

The Jets open the 2024 season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, the defending NFC champions, on Monday Night Football on September 9.

CNN’s Aaron Pellish contributed to this report.

[slats]

Imho, this is all bull**** designed to boost RFKjr. Rodgers has a high profile that he can use to promote his conspiracy bro, and he’s using it, but there was almost certainly never any serious consideration by RFK or Rodgers for Rodgers to actually run. I think this is evidenced by the fact that he named someone no one has ever heard of, but has pumped at least $10M of her own money into his campaign. 

[Testaverde9819]

Please can we stop this. It's embarrassing 

[Warfish]

4 minutes ago, slats said:

Imho, this is all bull**** designed to boost RFKjr. Rodgers has a high profile that he can use to promote his conspiracy bro, and he’s using it, but there was almost certainly never any serious consideration by RFK or Rodgers for Rodgers to actually run. I think this is evidenced by the fact that he named someone no one has ever heard of, but has pumped at least $10M of her own money into his campaign. 

I don't see any reason not to take Rodgers at his word.  If he says he declined it because he wants to keep playing football, why wouldn't I believe him?  He's playing football right now, so at least that part is clearly true. 

And it's the part that matters to us, here, isn't it?  His motivation to play?

[slats]

1 minute ago, Warfish said:

I don't see any reason not to take Rodgers at his word.  If he says he declined it because he wants to keep playing football, why wouldn't I believe him?  He's playing football right now, so at least that part is clearly true. 

And it's the part that matters to us, here, isn't it?  His motivation to play?

I think he always wanted to play football and never wanted to run for VP, but that he’s happy to continue to promote his buddy. And, moreso, he never would’ve donated $10M to the campaign the way his Google ex-wife running mate can and has. 

[Beerfish]

[rayzor]

What would be interesting is what he would've done if he thought RFKJ had a real chance of winning.  He's not retiring for a losing cause.

[Barry McCockinner]

I am literally shaking right now.

[bicketybam]

26 minutes ago, Testaverde9819 said:

Please can we stop this. It's embarrassing 

[bicketybam]

1 minute ago, rayzor said:

What would be interesting is what he would've done if he thought RFKJ had a real chance of winning.  He's not retiring for a losing cause.

What terrible timing. My crystal ball just went into the shop 😔 

[freestater]

Golly gee wiz, AR...

[Warfish]

9 minutes ago, bicketybam said:

It's news.  If you're not interested in the topic, don't open the thread.  

Not every topic is for everyone.  

[Joe W. Namath]

Rodgers is good friends with Bobby..

[Jet_Engine1]

[bicketybam]

12 minutes ago, Warfish said:

It's news.  If you're not interested in the topic, don't open the thread.  

Not every topic is for everyone.  

It's a sports forum. I can comment on anything I want. I apologize if I hurt your feelings.

[JTJet]

Gonna be amazing when he wins a SB with us and half of you go from calling him a conspiracy nut to slobbing on his knob.

[Warfish]

8 minutes ago, bicketybam said:

It's a sports forum. I can comment on anything I want. I apologize if I hurt your feelings.

You didn't hurt my 'feelings' in the least.  

You're right, it is a sports forum.  Hence why the motivations of our mercurial starting QB is an absolutely valid topic for a Jets forum.  No amateur side-moderation required.

[bicketybam]

Just now, Warfish said:

You didn't hurt my 'feelings' in the least.  

You're right, it is a sports forum.  Hence why the motivations qof our mercurial starting QB is an absolutely valid topic for a Jets forum, and no one needs your 

Well...don't leave me in suspense!

[The Crusher]

1 hour ago, Testaverde9819 said:

Please can we stop this. It's embarrassing 

Yeah, that’s what she said 

[Warfish]

3 minutes ago, bicketybam said:

Well...don't leave me in suspense!

Look up.

[Alka]

59 minutes ago, Warfish said:

I don't see any reason not to take Rodgers at his word.  If he says he declined it because he wants to keep playing football, why wouldn't I believe him?  He's playing football right now, so at least that part is clearly true. 

And it's the part that matters to us, here, isn't it?  His motivation to play?

Another angle would be that Rodgers assessed the options, and the option of running for VP was the option of losing the election, and not playing football, and not collecting his $45-$50M for this upcoming season.

Now, if Rodgers thought they could win, maybe his thoughts would have been different.  

Any smart person would have to consider the option of losing the election, compared to what his opportunity is right in front of him with the Jets.

[Matt39]

No politics!

[Flashlite80]

The Vice-President make $235,000 a year.  He would have to be in office for 160 years to earn his $37.5MMM salary for 2024.  Add to that his chances of RFK winning top out at none.  So forfeit $37.5MM a year for some publicity?  And who would vote for a QB to run the country, although it's hard to hard to do worse than the current holder.

[Jetsfan80]

53 minutes ago, Barry McCockinner said:

I am literally shaking right now.

Fake mad???

[Jetsfan80]

It’s good we got all distractions out of the building, guys.  We did it!!!

[slimjasi]

18 minutes ago, Alka said:

Another angle would be that Rodgers assessed the options, and the option of running for VP was the option of losing the election, and not playing football, and not collecting his $45-$50M for this upcoming season.

Now, if Rodgers thought they could win, maybe his thoughts would have been different.  

Any smart person would have to consider the option of losing the election, compared to what his opportunity is right in front of him with the Jets.

Bingo. Which is why I wrote back in March that there was no chance he would ever leave the Jets after 4 snaps to get 0 electoral votes and become a national laughingstock. 

[Warfish]

23 minutes ago, Alka said:

Another angle would be that Rodgers assessed the options, and the option of running for VP was the option of losing the election, and not playing football, and not collecting his $45-$50M for this upcoming season.

Now, if Rodgers thought they could win, maybe his thoughts would have been different.  

Any smart person would have to consider the option of losing the election, compared to what his opportunity is right in front of him with the Jets.

I have no doubt this also played a part.  On the flip side, the exposure and platform to express his beliefs (and the ego-feeding) was something I am sure he considered the other way too, losing effort or not.

[bitonti]

politics aside what does Aaron Rodgers' day to day life look like without starting NFL football games?

going to lsd conventions? following Phish around? 

he doesn't have a family he wants to spend more time with - let's be honest he comes off as this eclectic dude, a free thinker and all but like most of the successful people in the NFL, football is all he's got left

[Matt39]

1 minute ago, bitonti said:

politics aside what does Aaron Rodgers' day to day life look like without starting NFL football games?

going to lsd conventions? following Phish around? 

he doesn't have a family he wants to spend more time with - let's be honest he comes off as this eclectic dude, a free thinker and all but like most of the successful people in the NFL, football is all he's got left

Why does this matter? Is there something wrong with him not being married or having kids? Let him live his life. 

[slimjasi]

1 hour ago, Testaverde9819 said:

Please can we stop this. It's embarrassing 

Why? And why are you guys so sensitive about this? 

Just so we're clear, what Rodgers said yesterday in his press conference (the source for this article) was that he had an opportunity to be a VP candidate but that he preferred to play QB for the Jets. Isn't that good news? 

[Warfish]

5 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

Why? And why are you guys so sensitive about this? 

Just so we're clear, what Rodgers said yesterday in his press conference (the source for this article) was that he had an opportunity to be a VP candidate but that he preferred to play QB for the Jets. Isn't that good news? 

My point exactly.  Right down the line.

[Warfish]

10 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

Why does this matter? Is there something wrong with him not being married or having kids? Let him live his life. 

Coming from you, after your stalker-lite-obsession with Zach Wilson, who he was with, where he was at any given offseason moment, who his uncle was, who his family was, who did they knew, et, etc, etc.....is pretty damn funny, Matt. 😆

[Warfish]

14 minutes ago, bitonti said:

following Phish around?

Is he a Phish/Jam band fan?  I thought his musical tastes ran far more....mainstream poppy, a la his known love for Taylor Swift, as an example.

[slimjasi]

2 minutes ago, Warfish said:

My point exactly.  Right down the line.

I seriously don't get it! 

This doesn't have to be a political fight - there's nothing to fight about! 

[Matt39]

4 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Coming from you, after your stalker-lite-obsession with Zach Wilson, who he was with, where he was at any given offseason moment, who his uncle was, who his family was, who did they knew, et, etc, etc.....is pretty damn funny, Matt. 😆

Just an insanely stupid comparison