New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed that he was strongly considered to be a running mate for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but instead opted to continue his NFL career for a 20th season.
"There were really two options: Retire and be his VP or keep playing," Rodgers said during the Jets' OTAs on Tuesday (May 21) via NFL.com. "I wanted to keep playing."
Rodgers then added that his focus was on football when asked about potential distractions, having made multiple podcast appearances during the offseason.
"I respect those opinions, but those are offseason things," Rodgers said. "And those are real opportunities. Mostly podcasts was friends of mine, and the Bobby thing was a real thing. How it got out there, I don't know -- it wasn't from me. Once the season starts, it's all about football."
Rodgers was acquired by the Jets after last offseason after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but limited to just four snaps before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in his Jets debut last September.
"I feel really good," Rodgers said of his injury status. "It's just about the mental part. These practices have been nice the last couple of days. Feel what it's like to be out there, to be moving around, to not be thinking about it and see how I respond the next day. This is the last part.
"The strength is good, the movement is good, just the confidence to do everything."