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Rich Cimini, ESPN editor
FLORHAM PARK, NJ — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers believes he’s discovered a “little fountain of youth,” and it’s nothing to sneeze at. Or maybe it is.
Rodgers said he drank cayenne pepper and water, which teammate Thomas Morstead suggested. Rodgers, dealing with hamstring, knee and ankle injuries throughout the season, said he started drinking it before the Jets’ Week 8 game and continued this week in preparation for Thursday night against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium.
It’s a short week, which means most players are battling body aches, but Rodgers, 40, said he’s feeling good.
Rodgers said he’s not sure if it’s all due to his new elixir, but he’s incorporated it into his rehabilitation program. Cayenne pepper and water may have several health benefits, including pain relief, according to various medical journals.
“I take care of myself all the time,” Rodgers said, adding that he was cared for at the facility and later at home.
His age and limited mobility were questioned by Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who told reporters after New England’s 25-22 victory Sunday: “Hall of Fame quarterback. I hate to see him leave like that… He certainly doesn’t.” I don’t look the same…. S—, I could knock him over and catch him. He doesn’t look mobile at all.
Rodgers said he was unaware of the comments.
“He’s probably right,” Rodgers said. “Yes, I was sore, but I feel better today.”
It’s a pretty quick recovery.
“T-Mo gave me a little fountain of youth,” he said of Morstead. “He said he’d been taking it for a while — it was legal, of course. [Maybe] That’s why I feel a little better.”
The Jets (2-6), losers of five straight games, need an improved Rodgers to salvage the second half of their season. In a postgame speech to the team Sunday, he expressed a sense of urgency with “a cool head,” safety Isaiah Oliver said, adding, “He was always able to express that things have to get better and things need to change, and we need to do it together. We don’t have time to point fingers.”
The four-time MVP admitted it wasn’t living up to his expectations, but he seemed optimistic about Thursday night. He said Godchaux probably got a bad impression of him because he didn’t have to escape the pocket as often, making it seem like his mobility was compromised.
“That’s probably part of it, but I expect to be able to do a lot more this week,” Rodgers said. “I’ll be under center and hopefully get my speed back faster than Godchaux.”
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged that Rodgers hasn’t been 100 percent this season, but he added that Monday’s postgame check “was one of his better evaluations. So, from that point From a point of view, we are very lucky.”
Asked if he would consider resting the future Hall of Famer for a week or two, Ulbrich said, “Not at this point.”
This hasn’t been a vintage Rodgers season. He is ranked 23rd in Total QBR (50.4), well below his career average (67.2). With seven interceptions, he is on pace to reach a career high.
“Yeah, not as good as I would have hoped,” he said of his season. “I have to play better.
“I just need to be more efficient, not turn the ball over too often. Interceptions can be deceptive sometimes, but I’ve definitely had my share of bad throws.”
Rodgers said his surgically repaired Achilles wasn’t a factor at all, but he missed practice time due to his other leg injuries.
Mobility was once one of Rodgers’ “superpowers,” according to Ulbrich, who said his focus this week was on “really being in rhythm, listening to your feet, trusting your eyes and letting yourself rip.” the good things are being highlighted – they are – and I’m excited to see some growth that way. »
Rodgers played his best game of the season on a Thursday night, a Week 3 win over the Patriots in which he passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns. The short week didn’t bother him at all.
“I don’t know what’s going on on these Thursdays,” he said, “but I got to the game with no problem and I feel a lot better.”
