Aaron Rodgers Says He's Playing vs. Jets After Joe Philbin Doesn't Name Starter

After Green Bay Packers interim head coach Joe Philbin refused to say whether Aaron Rodgers would start Sunday's Week 16 game against the New York Jets, the quarterback made clear his intentions.

Rich Cimini of ESPN reported early on Wednesday that Philbin wouldn't commit to Rodgers with the Packers eliminated from playoff contention and the former NFL MVP dealing with a groin injury. He also suffered a knee injury earlier in the season.

Per ESPN's Rob Demovsky, Rodgers said he will be on the field against the Jets. 

Philbin appeared to shoot down that idea of shutting down Rodgers on Tuesday, saying, "I think when you sign up for the 2018 NFL season, you sign up for a 16-game season."

"Again, I think it's bigger than Aaron Rodgers," he told reporters. "This is a football team. You're a football player. You're employed by the Green Bay Packers just like if players or coaches were to say, 'Geez I'd like to go home tonight and not prepare as hard for this game because we're not going to the playoffs,' I mean, that's not a professional approach to the job, I don't think."

The 35-year-old California native has completed 61.8 percent of his throws for 3,974 yards with 23 touchdowns and two interceptions across 14 appearances this season. Pro Football Focus grades him as the league's sixth-best quarterback for 2018.

That said, there's little incentive for the Packers to put him at any further risk given their inability to qualify for the postseason. He's under contract with the organization through 2023 with a $26.5 million cap hit for 2019, per Spotrac.

Despite the Packers not having anything to play for at this point in the season, Rodgers will attempt to finish 2018 on a high note with two games remaining.