Marquez Valdes-Scantling discusses if Jets’ Rodgers is a ‘diva’

Free-agent extensive receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling defended former teammate and present New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers whereas talking with CBS Sports activities Radio’s Zach Gelb on Thursday. 

“Man, he is one of many best you may ever discover,” Valdes-Scantling mentioned about Rodgers, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL’s web site. “He cares extra about his teammates than in regards to the sport of soccer. , I feel that is one thing that folks actually do not perceive. As a result of folks get this notion of him that he is this diva or all about himself, that is the furthest factor from the reality.”

Valdes-Scantling performed alongside Rodgers with the Inexperienced Bay Packers from 2018 by means of the 2021 season till the 29-year-old signed with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as a free agent in March 2022. 

It was lower than one yr in the past earlier than Rodgers formally joined the Jets from the Packers when he reportedly gave Gang Inexperienced “a want checklist of free brokers he’d like them to pursue and purchase.” 

One won’t ever know the way Rodgers would’ve performed with such abilities final fall, as he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles 4 offensive snaps into his official Jets debut. 

As lately as final week, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic mentioned how Rodgers had a optimistic impression on the Jets’ locker room earlier than his damage. It was beforehand reported that Rodgers’ relationship with a minimum of backup signal-caller Zach Wilson “soured” through the 2023 marketing campaign. 

“Aaron has taught me a lot on and off the sphere,” Valdes-Scantling added through the interview. “He is a giant advocate of psychological well being and the way you method life, not simply soccer. The issues that he is gone by means of through the years, he shares that and form of simply lets you understand, like, ‘Hey, I am human too’ … Only for him to have the ability to open that up and be an excellent buddy to me, not even only a teammate, I am eternally indebted to him.”

It is unknown if Rodgers will push the Jets so as to add Valdes-Scantling to the roster at any level between now and Week 1. Nevertheless, what is obvious is that the Jets will want the 40-year-old to remain wholesome and play properly all through the 2024 season to perform targets that transcend merely qualifying for the playoffs. 

It is thought that Jets proprietor Woody Johnson might fully clear home if the membership would not finish the longest lively postseason drought among the many 4 main North American sports activities leagues in January 2025.