After playing in Green Bay for 18 years, Aaron Rodgers started over in New York for two years.
Now, he's starting anew again.
"This is the second new, so it's the new new," said Rodgers. "I'm loving being here."
Rodgers is preparing for his first game with the Steelers, who are opening in New York on Sunday.
Will he be more excited than usual for the Jets?
"Eh," Rodgers said. "It's week one."
Nothing extra.
No jitters.
He even attempted to list all the defenders with the Jets whom he counts as friends.
"I hope I didn't miss anyone," he said.
How's the 41-year-old quarterback feeling?
"I feel good. I feel real good," Rodgers said. "I've got a lot of great people I work with in my off time. I had three days with my bodywork guy out West. I'm feeling really good."
Rodgers said he has "a pretty good handle" on the Steelers offense. "I spent a lot of time studying in Latrobe and here. I feel good about finishing Art's sentences when he starts to call plays."
Arthur Smith directs Rodgers as the offensive coordinator, but with input, of course, from his quarterback. Rodgers gave an indication of one of his preferences when he praised his quartet of tight ends, in particular big Darnell Washington.
"I think it's the best tight end room that I've been around in 21 years," Rodgers said. "You have four extremely capable guys. We had different runs at Green Bay where we had some great players, but just the depth that we have here with four guys who you feel great about having on the field at any time. And they all have a different skill set they bring to the table. I can't even say who's the most impressive – maybe the biggest guy in the room because of how many things he can do down the field in the passing game."
The 6-7, 264-pound Washington enters his third NFL season as one of the league's best blocking tight ends. He's such a good blocker that local reporters questioned whether he may one day make a move to offensive tackle.
"The other day we had a practice," Rodgers said of Washington, "and I threw him a bunch of balls in the red zone, and I was just thinking to myself, he's definitely in the right position because he's so big and so athletic. For a man of that size to be that skilled in the passing game is pretty impressive, not to mention what he does on the line of scrimmage."
Washington caught only one pass this preseason, and the four rostered tight ends caught only six passes for 43 yards.
Of course, Smith wasn't showing much of the offense and Rodgers didn't even play.
So, will he be ready?
"I've been playing 20 years, so I know how to execute in a game situation," Rodgers said.
Several former NFL players – most noticeably Ben Roethlisberger – have watched Steelers practices and praised Rodgers' arm strength and say that his legendary release remains elite. But the public has yet to witness the Steelers' new quarterback. So Coach Mike Tomlin was asked to give a scouting report on Rodgers this week.
"His arm talent is unbelievable, not only in terms of arm strengths and accuracy but his ability to release the ball from a variety of places," Tomlin said. "His game management expertise and experience is very evident. His line-of-scrimmage play, weaponizing of cadences, et cetera, his above-the-neck game, is very unique. It's been a good process. But the proof is in the pudding. I'm sure he's excited to get into a stadium with us and quarterback for us, and I know I'm excited about seeing it."
So is Rodgers, who has a love of the game.
It's obvious that he's brought it with him to Pittsburgh.
"I'm happy I'm here. Very happy," Rodgers said. "Really enjoy the guys, really enjoying my little corner over here, and then my quarterback room and the big room with the offense, getting to know those guys, being a conscious observer out at practice, taking everything in, and really enjoying Mike Tomlin's team meetings. I'm enjoying everything Pittsburgh-related and excited about the season to start."
