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Jets rookie vocal on potentially becoming Aaron Rodgers’ successor
Image credit: ClutchPoints

In the New York Jets’ training facility, a new chapter unfolds with rookie Jordan Travis, whose resilience and determination have already marked his early days with the team. Despite Travis’ harrowing leg injury that abruptly ended his stellar college career at Florida State, he is not only focused on his recovery but also on the immense responsibility that might await him: succeeding Aaron Rodgers as the quarterback of the New York Jets.

During the team’s recent rookie minicamp, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Travis openly shared his aspirations and current focus. “Yes, sir, I do think about [succeeding Rodgers] a lot,” Travis admitted. “But right now, I’m just focused on where my feet are, just getting healthy and getting everybody around me better, being a great teammate” he added, emphasizing his immediate priorities.

The Jets’ decision to draft Travis in the fifth round (171st overall) was a testament to their belief in his long-term potential. While they have clearly stated that Travis will not be playing this season, his future under the mentorship of seasoned veterans like Rodgers and backup Tyrod Taylor looks promising.

Rodgers himself, a future Hall of Famer, has hinted at playing “two or three or four” more years, depending on his physical condition. This timeline gives Travis not only years to learn and develop but also to prepare for the enormous shoes he might one day fill. “One hundred percent,” Travis responded when asked about his confidence in becoming an NFL starter. “Yes, sir.”

Travis’s journey back to the field is one of resilience and passion. Following his injury last November against North Alabama—a moment that concluded Florida State’s undefeated season and sparked significant controversy over their exclusion from the College Football Playoff—Travis has been unwavering. “I love adversity,” he said, reflecting on his recovery. “I love waking up every single day and having to make a choice. It just makes the story a whole lot cooler.”

Currently, Travis is still rehabbing his surgically repaired left ankle. During the rookie camp, he was seen engaging lightly, riding the stationary bike, and eagerly watching drills from the sidelines. His enthusiasm was palpable, even attempting to join the stretch line before being reminded to take it slow.

The anticipation around Jordan Travis meeting Rodgers and Taylor is high, with the rookie looking forward to absorbing lessons from both. “I’m just thankful to have a ball in my hand again and have a helmet on my head,” Travis expressed, signifying his gratitude and readiness to embark on his professional journey.

What Will Travis Jordan do for The Jets?

Under the guidance of Coach Robert Saleh, the Jets see Travis as a raw yet immensely talented player. Saleh described him as “a ball of clay,” acknowledging that while Travis’s natural athleticism was evident in his college career, refining his technical skills could make him “a pretty damn good football player.”

The team’s strategy is clear: take the time to develop Travis’s skills comprehensively. This approach is facilitated by the presence of Rodgers and Taylor, who bring over three decades of combined NFL experience. This environment is ideal for a rookie like Travis, who is expected to catch up during the team’s training camp in late July.

Looking ahead, Travis’s role in the upcoming season is likely more observational than participatory. As he learns from Rodgers and Taylor, his development will be crucial, not just in his physical recovery but also in mastering the playbook and understanding the nuances of professional play at the quarterback position.

The Jets’ depth chart currently places Travis behind Rodgers and Taylor, with only Peewee Jarrett, an undrafted rookie from Division II West Florida, as another quarterback option. This positioning allows Travis the time and space to grow without the immediate pressures of game-day expectations.

In conclusion, Jordan Travis’s outlook as a rookie is as much about recovery and learning as it is about the potential to one day lead the Jets. His journey from a college standout to an NFL rookie under the tutelage of Aaron Rodgers reflects both his personal ambitions and the strategic planning of the Jets’ management. As Travis himself puts it, facing adversity and overcoming it not only defines his past but also sets the stage for what he hopes will be an illustrious NFL career.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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