Image credit: ClutchPoints

Why Jets’ Aaron Rodgers turned down Robert Kennedy Jr. VP position

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Nick Meyer | Last updated 5/21/24

The New York Jets are poised to make history with six prime time games in the first 11 weeks of the 2024-2025 NFL season. Now, the Jets are focused on bringing Aaron Rodgers and his weapons like Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson up to speed in time for training camp later this fall.

Recently, Rodgers shared information on how he almost made history off the field as presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vice presidential running mate pick.

The information came amid a significant Rodgers injury update at Jets OTAs. The Jets’ game-by-game predictions were also released.

Reporter Zack Rosenblatt has been covering the Jets this week at OTAs, and he shared a key message on why Rodgers decided against joining Kennedy Jr.’s presidential quest recently.

Jets’ Rodgers Reveals His Turn-Down of RFK Campaign

The Jets’ signal caller shared his matter-of-fact reason for turning down the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign. According to Rodgers, he would have had to leave the National Football League and Jets teammates Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and others to join the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidential campaign.

Aaron Rodgers on the RFK-VP conversations:

“There were two options: Retire and be his VP or keep playing. I wanted to keep playing.”

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) May 21, 2024

Rodgers and the Jets finished with a losing record last season as Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in the first game of the season vs. the Buffalo Bills.

Kennedy Jr. is considered a long shot in the presidential race but he is a well known former environmental attorney with a famous last name and momentum in several grassroots campaigns across the country. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy Jr.

Rodgers’ Outlook for 2024 Season

Rodgers and Jets are not an AFC favorite by any stretch of the imagination but Coach Robert Saleh’s team has plenty of reasons for optimism. Rodgers is expected to be healthy and has a potential star running back in Breece Hall to hand the ball off to this upcoming season.

Garrett Wilson is one of the most dynamic and dependable young wide receivers. Meanwhile, former Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith has reportedly been crushing defenders in practice.

Rodgers may one day look back on his decision not to run as a vice presidential candidate and feel frustrated about it. If the Jets end up winning more games than they lose, setting the city of New York on fire with their winning ways, and making the playoffs, he will likely look back on his decision with a mixture of appreciation and delight, instead of regret. Time will tell.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: