The Rams’ defense sees legendary options against the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the NFL’s oldest player.

At 41, he has shown glimpses of the skills that helped him win four NFL Most Valuable Player awards.

So young Rams defensive players are eager for the opportunity to play against the future Hall of Famer on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ

“It’s one of those things,” rookie safety Kamren Kinchens said, “if I can pick him off, it’s a dream come true.”

The Rams, winners of three straight games, are atop the NFC West with an 8-6 record. A win over the Jets would set them up for a crucial divisional game against the Arizona Cardinals and final against the Seattle Seahawks, both home games.

A loss would kill their momentum.

The Jets are 4-10. In early October, owner Woody Johnson fired trainer Robert Saleh. About a month later, Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas.

Despite the turmoil, Rodgers has passed for 23 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, for a team that has more talent than its woeful record indicates.

Last Sunday, Rodgers passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The chance to play against, and possibly fire, “a living legend” is exciting, rookie edge rusher Jared Verse said.

“He’s one of the guys in the GOAT conversation — one of the best players who ever lived,” said Verse, who has 4 ½ sacks. “So to be able to line up in front of him and try to make some plays, try to figure out how he reads me and vice versa, it’s going to be exciting.”

In 2022, then-rookie cornerback Cobie Durant played against Rodgers in the last of the quarterback’s 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown with an interception as the Packers defeated the Rams, 24-12, at Lambeau Field.

“Probably the fastest I’ve ever seen a ball come out of a quarterback’s hand,” Durant said. “It was like a missile.”

After suffering a torn Achilles in the 2023 opener, Rodgers’ mobility hasn’t been the same as when he drove defensive coordinators crazy with his ability to extend plays.

Not much else has changed, Durant said.

“He’s still throwing it,” Durant said.

Chris Shula was a defensive position coach when the Rams played Rodgers in 2018, during the 2020 NFC Divisional Round and in 2021 and 2022.

Now Shula is a defensive coordinator, plotting ways to neutralize one of the best pass rushers in NFL history.

“The game is so slow for him, you’re not exactly going to be able to fool him,” Shula said. “He’s pretty much seen everything.”

Rodgers’ ball placement makes it especially difficult for defensive backs covering receivers.

“They might be covered,” Shula said, “but really, they’re never covered, especially with Aaron Rodgers.”

Recently, Rodgers seems to be recapturing some of his best form. Against the Jaguars, he rushed for a team-high 45 yards.

“The last three weeks he’s really moved a lot better,” Shula said. “This is what his old self looks like.”

Receiver Davante Adams has aided Rodgers’ resurgence.

Adams and Rodgers played together for eight seasons in Green Bay before Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. Rodgers and Adams reunited in October when the Raiders traded Adams to the Jets.

Two weeks ago, in an overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, Adams caught nine passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Against the Jaguars, he caught nine passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, one covering 71 yards.

The Rams secondary is coming off one of its best performances of the season. Defensive backs broke up nine passes and cornerback Darious Williams intercepted a pass in a 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Rodgers is another level.

“We know he’s going to make great throws,” safety Quentin Lake said. “It’s our job to minimize his ability to make those explosive plays while also being in positions where we can maybe get a tip that leads to a turnover or punt the ball out. All those things.”

Williams is looking forward to the challenge. Rodgers, Adams and receiver Garrett Wilson are “some of the hottest names in football,” he said.

“It’s going to be fun to say the least,” Williams said.

However, how much the Rams enjoy themselves will be determined by the result.