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Rich Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets, known for making a lot of noise when Aaron Rodgers was their quarterback, are turning down the volume this week as they prepare to face Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
First-year coach Aaron Glenn showed no interest Tuesday in revisiting his decision to release Rodgers in February — a move that sparked a torrent of criticism from the future Hall of Famer.
«It’s not relevant to right now,» said Glenn, who has demurred from Rodgers-related questions since his hiring.
Justin Fields, Glenn’s choice to replace Rodgers, will face his previous team — the first season-opening game in history between starting quarterbacks who changed teams they started for the previous year, according to ESPN Research.
The showdown is soaked with revenge angles. Fields acknowledged that, from a fan perspective, «The storyline is crazy. I mean, that’s why the NFL set us up for Week 1, just for that.»
In his next breath, Fields insisted he won’t allow it to impact his approach to the game.
«There’s no storyline for me,» he said matter-of-factly. «It’s ball for me, so I’ll let you guys kind of handle the storylines, the news lines and stuff like that. In the locker room, we just keep it straight ball.»
Russell Wilson was injured, but he was benched despite a 4-2 record.
He insisted he has no ill feelings toward the Steelers.
«No, not at all,» he said. «Like I told you guys before, I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. I was in a spot last year where I was able to see the game from a different perspective. I learned a lot from Russ and just all the other vets there, so not at all.»
