Thu Sep 12 00:38:08 UTC 2024: ## Rodgers Calms Jets After Opening Night Loss with “Relax” Message
**East Rutherford, NJ** – Despite a disappointing 32-19 season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivered a message of calm to his team, echoing his famous “R-E-L-A-X” mantra from his days with the Green Bay Packers.
Following Monday night’s defeat, Rodgers addressed his teammates in the locker room, emphasizing the importance of staying composed and focusing on the long-term process. “He talked to us all after the game and as someone who has been through so much, to hear him speak honestly was a good feeling,” said tight end Tyler Conklin. “It made us feel like we’re OK.”
Rodgers’ message resonated with his teammates, who see him as a calming presence and a source of confidence. Receiver Allen Lazard, who played with Rodgers in Green Bay, described his quarterback as having a “grandfatherly, or shaman type of aura.”
This wasn’t the first time Rodgers used the “relax” approach. In 2014, he famously delivered the “R-E-L-A-X” message to Packers fans who were frustrated with the team’s 1-2 start. The Packers went on to win 11 of their next 13 games, proving that a slow start doesn’t necessarily determine the season’s outcome.
“It’s a long season,” Rodgers said. “People think it’s like wandering in the desert, but it’s more like a bolero, a smooth dance.”
The Jets, who are 0-1 for the second year in a row, seem to be taking Rodgers’ advice to heart. While last year’s opening night win was followed by a disappointing season due to Rodgers’ injury, this year’s loss doesn’t feel as dire.
“We know we’re a good team, we’ve got good players and we’ve got things we’ve got to fix,” Conklin said. “But we definitely feel better having Aaron leading this team. You always have a chance with him back there.”
The Jets have a chance to bounce back this weekend, facing the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. A win would alleviate some of the early season pressure and set the stage for a potentially successful season. For fans, the message is clear: Relax, and trust the process.
First Piper 