Aaron Rodgers confirms his commitment to NY Jets after strong spring practice

Aaron Rodgers and the NY Jets returned to the practice field on Tuesday for the first open-media OTA session of the spring. These may just be padless spring practices, but Rodgers is already doing his best to make a strong impression in his return.

The four-time MVP looked calm and composed on Tuesday, making a number of highlight throws and elevating the play of those around him. In other words, he looked exactly like the Aaron Rodgers the Jets signed up for.

Rodgers finished the day completing 5-of-5 passes in 7-on-7 drills and going 8-of-10 for two touchdowns in team drills. That includes a 40-yard laser down the seam to second-year wide receiver Xavier Gipson for a would-be touchdown.

It wasn't just Rodgers' performance on the field that stood out, however. While the future Hall of Famer has been known to generate headlines for his controversial comments off the field, Rodgers made sure to say all the right things when speaking to reporters after practice.

Aaron Rodgers remains all in on the NY Jets

Rodgers was asked about the conversations he had with presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about possibly becoming his vice presidential running mate, and the 40-year-old QB handled the situation about as well as could've been expected.

Rodgers confirmed that he had conversations with Kennedy about a political position before ultimately declining and returning to the Jets. The thought of stepping away from football and retiring was never a serious consideration for him.

Despite the off-field noise and controversial comments, Rodgers has been a model teammate and leader since coming to Florham Park. He's been praised up and down by teammates and coaches, attended essentially all voluntary team events, and continues to lead by example.

He's worked hard to shed the reputation he developed in Green Bay after years of not attending OTAs and accusations of failed mentorship opportunities. In that regard, Rodgers has been a revelation for the Jets.

He continues to confirm his commitment to the organization, and his comments about rejecting a political opportunity are further evidence of his status with the Jets. He's all in on this franchise.

Rodgers has gone above and beyond to help mentor some of the younger players on the Jets' roster. He spent last summer taking Zach Wilson under his wing. He's already offered rookie wide receiver a spot in his guesthouse. He was seen giving pointers to a number of young players during Tuesday's practice.

Say what you want about Aaron Rodgers' personal beliefs and viewpoints, but there's no denying his efforts in the locker room. Rodgers has been everything the Jets could've hoped for and more from a leadership standpoint.

The next step is living up to expectations on the field. Tuesday was an encouraging step in the right direction.