Former Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, battling for a NFL roster spot after a MVP season in the UFL, had a strong preseason opener with the New York Jets.
Martinez, playing mostly in the second half, helped lead the Jets to a 20-17 preseason win over the Washington Commanders Saturday afternoon. Martinez completed 6 of 10 passes for 104 yards, and rushed twice for 24 yards.
The Jets’ starter, Aaron Rodgers, was inactive. He continues a full return from last season’s Achilles injury, which caused him to miss all but a few plays of the 2023 season.
“Aaron might be the best quarterback of all time,” said Martinez who, like Rodgers, grew up in California. Martinez said he’d enjoyed watching Rodgers work in camp.
“I’m very fortunate. Aaron might the best quarterback of all-time.”
Adrian Martinez talks about getting to work with Aaron Rodgers: pic.twitter.com/9t9Gd6U6KJ
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 10, 2024
“Who knows, for how long, I’ll get this opportunity,” Martinez said. He’ll have to beat out at least rookie Andrew Peasley — who played at Wyoming — for a No. 3 role behind Rodgers and veteran Tyrod Taylor, who saw brief action as Saturday’s starter.
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But Martinez is also coming off of MVP season in the UFL, where he led the Birmingham Stallions to the league title.
While Martinez completed his college career at Kansas State, he left Nebraska after four years having set the school’s career record for total yards (10,792). He was also Nebraska’s first three-time captain.
