Rams’ young defense eyes Jets’ Aaron Rodgers as a chance for legendary performance

Rams’ young defense eyes Jets’ Aaron Rodgers as a chance for legendary performance.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the NFL’s oldest player.

 

At 41, he has shown flashes of the skill that helped him win four NFL most-valuable-player awards.

So young Rams defensive players are eager for the opportunity to play against the future Hall of Famer on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

 

“It’s one of those things,” rookie safety Kamren Kinchens said, “if I can pick him off, it’s a dream come true.”

 

The Rams, winners of three games in a row, are atop the NFC West with an 8-6 record. A victory over the Jets would set them up for a crucial division game against the Arizona Cardinals and finale against the Seattle Seahawks, both home games.

The Jets are 4-10. In early October, owner Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh. About a month later, Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas.

 

Despite the turmoil, Rodgers has passed for 23 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, for a team that has more talent than its woeful record indicates.

In 2022, then-rookie cornerback Cobie Durant played against Rodgers in the last of the quarterback’s 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

 

Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown, with an interception, as the Packers defeated the Rams, 24-12, at Lambeau Field.

 

“Probably the fastest I’ve ever seen a ball come out of a quarterback’s hand,” Durant said. “It was like a missile.”

After suffering a torn Achilles in the 2023 opener, Rodgers’ mobility has not been the same as when he drove defensive coordinators nuts with his ability to extend plays.

 

Not much else has changed, Durant said.

 

“He’s still slinging it,” Durant said.

 

Chris Shula was a defensive position coach when the Rams played against Rodgers in 2018, during the 2020 NFC divisional round, and in 2021 and 2022.

 

Now Shula is defensive coordinator, scheming ways to neutralize one of the best passers in NFL history.

“The game moves so slow for him, you’re not exactly going to be able to trick him,” Shula said. “He’s kind of seen everything.”

 

Rodgers’ ball placement makes it especially difficult for defensive backs covering receivers.

 

“They might be covered,” Shula said, “but really, they’re never covered, especially with Aaron Rodgers.”