Warning: do not try the following at home. Aaron Rodgers’ decision to join the Jets will not be swayed by your personal stunt.
The New York Jets have long been marooned on an island, the “Island of Sunken Playoff Hopes and Perennial Disappointment.” Stranded for years without a reliable starting quarterback, Sauce Gardner had no choice but to use his last resort: burn a cheesehead and hope that Aaron Rodgers will follow the scent.
The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, along with the rest of the Jets, has been ruthless in his pursuit of Rodgers. Earlier this week, Gardner promised the Green Bay Packers quarterback that he will “burn the cheesehead” if Rodgers comes to New York, referring to the Packers fanbase’s clothing staple which Gardner donned last season as an “in-your-face” gesture when the Jets beat Green Bay in the 2022 regular season.
Well, Gardner made good on his promise last night and burned the symbolic cheesehead in hopes of reconciling with Rodgers and convincing the veteran to join the Jets this offseason. If he wanted to get Rodgers’ attention, this ought to do it.
Gardner proves his loyalty to potential Jets teammate Aaron Rodgers by melting cheesehead
In a video uploaded to Gardner’s YouTube channel, Gardner is joined by 2022 rookies Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall in the ceremonial burning of the cheesehead.
Gardner channeled “No Fun League” energy by doing the responsible thing and using a fire pit to burn the cheesehead — Smokey would be proud, but Jets fans may have expected more of a dazzling show.
As if the act of burning the cheesehead wasn’t enough, Gardner makes his serious, personal plea for Rodgers four minutes into video. Staring dead-on into the camera, Gardner begged Rodgers to come to New York so that the Jets “can win a Super Bowl,” and he also added some other sweet incentives like throwing pool parties at his crib.
Will Gardner’s blazing-hot recruitment gimmick actually pay off? The star cornerback certainly went down an unconventional route, but one could say Rodgers himself is a bit of an unconventional enigma.
Rodgers, who recently emerged from a darkness retreat, has yet to publicly make a decision on his future in the NFL. Gardner’s sacred cheesehead burning, complete with melted “sauce” oozing out of the fire and a glowing portrait of the Jets’ camaraderie, just might help Rodgers finally see the light.