It is no surprise that the Jets named quarterback Aaron Rodgerslinebacker C.J. Mosley and member of the special team justin hardee as captains after their peers voted for them on Monday.
Mosley and Hardee get the nod for the third straight season, while Rodgers, who captained 12 of his 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers Before coming to New York, he will sport the capital “C” across his chest in his first season playing for Gang Green.
It’s the second straight year the Jets have named just three captains: one offensive, one defensive and one special teams. Last season, in addition to Mosley and Hardee, zack wilson he was elected captain in just his second year as a professional.
Things should be a little different with Rodgers, 39, at the helm of the ship.
“Aaron’s been fantastic, he’s really done it,” head coach. Robert Saleh saying. “He has been incredible with his voice, his messages, his attention to the young people around him.”
What won’t change for the Jets is the leading voice coming from the defensive end, as Mosley has been a stalwart in that capacity, being named captain for the fourth time in five seasons in New York. The only time he was not named was in 2020, when he opted out due to the pandemic.
“It means a lot, especially coming from my teammates,” Mosley said. “I don’t take the ‘C’ on my chest lightly. Every year that I come here, I make sure to work towards earning that distinction. “
Similarly, since Hardee joined the Jets in 2021, he has been at the forefront of special teams leaders. Last season, he was named to his first Pro-Bowl selection after 15 special teams tackles.
“(Hardee) is a leader,” special teams coordinator. Brant Boyer saying. “He’s a professional, and if you ask any coach in our division, any coach we’ve played under, they’ll all say the same thing about him. He is a great player, it is difficult to stop him and he always keeps going”.
According to Saleh, a fourth captain will be named before each game each week, through a vote of the coaches.