Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the New York Jets, credits a new cayenne pepper and water concoction for helping him feel better amid his ongoing injuries. Teammate Thomas Morstead introduced him to the drink, which Rodgers started using before the Jets’ Week 8 game and has continued to use in his preparation for an upcoming Thursday night game against the Houston Texans.
At age 40 and managing hamstring, knee, and ankle issues, Rodgers noted feeling unusually good during a short week of recovery and has added the drink as part of his rehab regimen, finding that it may support pain relief and healing, though he is uncertain how much it impacts his overall health.
Rodgers has faced scrutiny over his diminished mobility, particularly following a comment by Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who observed that the veteran quarterback didn’t look as mobile during New England’s recent 25-22 victory over the Jets. Rodgers acknowledged he wasn’t aware of Godchaux’s comments but admitted he was in pain during that game. Nonetheless, he noted feeling better shortly after and credited Morstead’s advice as contributing to this “fountain of youth” effect, joking about potentially regaining some of his speed and agility despite his recent physical limitations.
The Jets, currently at a 2-6 record and struggling through a five-game losing streak, need a stronger performance from Rodgers to turn the season around. Following the loss, Rodgers gave a postgame speech emphasizing unity and urging the team to step up their performance.
His message, according to teammate Isaiah Oliver, balanced urgency with composure, stressing the importance of improving as a team without placing blame. Rodgers himself has acknowledged that his performance this season hasn’t met his usual standards but is hopeful for better results in upcoming games.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich expressed cautious optimism about Rodgers’ condition, especially following a recent evaluation that showed some improvement. Ulbrich, while admitting that Rodgers hasn’t been fully healthy, has no plans to rest him, instead focusing on helping him work within the offense’s rhythm.
The coach highlighted that while mobility was once a significant advantage for Rodgers, the current focus has shifted to efficient footwork, trusting his instincts, and delivering accurate throws. Ulbrich is hopeful that these adjustments will bring more consistency to Rodgers’ game, especially in a season where he ranks 23rd in QBR, a significant drop from his career average.
Rodgers has also pointed out that his Achilles injury hasn’t been an issue this season, though other injuries have occasionally kept him out of practice. He remains motivated, looking back to his Week 3 performance on a Thursday night against the Patriots as a positive sign for the upcoming game.
Despite a challenging season and notable setbacks, Rodgers is optimistic about improving his efficiency and reducing turnovers, believing that with continued adjustments, he can regain some of his characteristic mobility and help the Jets finish the season strong.
