Sauce Gardner Reflects On Aaron Rodgers’ Injury Last Season, Draws Parallels Between A-Rod’s Leadership And LeBron James

Aaron Rodgers has established his name after 18 years of playing with the Green Bay Packers. During his stellar journey, the veteran managed to inspire many with his work ethic and persistence. One such admirer of A-Rod is the New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.

When the four-time MVP joined the New York Jets, he was hailed as a messiah figure for the struggling franchise. But a heart-breaking Achilles injury pushed him off the field before his stint could even begin. As Rodgers prepares to start his second season with the Jets, his young teammate expressed his admiration for the veteran.

Sauce Gardner: Aaron Rodgers ‘kind of like‘ LeBron James

On a star-studded episode of ‘The Shop,‘ Gardner discussed the former Super Bowl Champion, on and off the field. He felt a difference in what he had heard from people’s opinion of Rodgers and how the QB actually is with his teammates. “I grew up watching him,” the CB said. “I get the chance to get in person with him, bond with him, talk to him. And see like, bro, he not what other people say about him.”

The Detroit native further shed light on the former Packers legend’s influence on the team, comparing it to fellow guest LeBron James. “It’s a leader, somebody that got a great work ethic. Somebody that just impacts the rest of the team. He kind of like you (James),” said Gardner. He further continued “…When he’s on that field, the whole offense is more confident in their abilities, and they feel like they’re better, you know what I mean.”

Rodgers’ mere presence in the Jets instilled a feeling of renewed confidence in the offense, as expressed by Gardner. So when their lead and mentor-figure quarterback got hurt and missed the entire season, it was bound to negatively affect the entire team’s mental space and was a severe hit to the budding players.

Gardner reveals how A-Rod’s injury impacted the offense

The Achilles injury brought everybody’s hopes crashing down, not only of the fans but also of the fellow teammates who were relying on the QB to lead the crew from the front. Backup Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 pick, couldn’t fill the big shoes of Rodgers, and the franchise soon was out of the running for playoffs. The cornerback explained how the confidence of the team was damaged post-injury.

“But it’s like when he went down, like to keep it 100, I feel like some offensive players, their mentality switched ’cause Aaron not on the field,” said Gardner. He feels the defense wasn’t affected much, but it was the offense that bore the brunt of the incident. “Like it’s a defense, you don’t wanna get exposed. Corners, you definitely don’t want to get exposed. You don’t want to get beat. You don’t care what’s going on nowhere… but offense, it’s like, it wasn’t the same.”

James agreed with the cornerback’s assessment of how Rodgers’ absence would have affected the team’s performance. “The whole vibe changed,” the NBA star commented. However, good news is on the way! With A-Rod expected to return in the 2024 season, the Jets’ fans have renewed optimism for a comeback.