Aaron Rodgers has been named the Jets’ most inspirational player. He was honored with the team’s Dennis Byrd Award.
What everyone has said in the Jets building over the 2023 season came to fruition Friday: Aaron Rodgers has made an impact while off the field and on the field, if only for four snaps.
The Jets named their prized quarterback as their most inspirational teammate as part of the annual awards, handing him the Dennis Byrd Award.
“Well, that’s the whole thing. Most of these awards are not necessarily what’s done on the football field,” head coach Robert Saleh said before Friday’s practice. “These guys are with each other all the time, they’re dealing with the building, they’re dealing with every single department, and Aaron’s presence, I’ve said it a million times, he loves his teammates, his teammates love him, he’s so intentional with how he approaches everyone in the building, he’s very thoughtful in the way he does things, and he’s a tremendous human, he really is, and well deserving of the award.”
After suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in the opening game against the Bills, Rodgers remained the biggest storyline and as a stable voice in the locker room for the Jets throughout their dismal 6-10 season that concludes Sunday on the road against New England.
Rodgers talked to then-backup quarterback Zach Wilson often throughout the season, giving advice as a mentor.
