Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers recognizes a key battle in Sunday’s game against the Broncos.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson vs. cornerback Pat Surtain.

“Pat is a phenomenal player,” Rodgers told local Jets media on Wednesday. “But Garrett is, too.”

Surtain, following a poor outing in the home opener, clamped down Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans last week with just two catches for 17 yards. Wilson is a former No. 10 overall draft pick (2022) with 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two NFL seasons. But he’s off to a relatively slow start in 2024.

Wilson has 15 catches for 150 yards and one touchdown over three games.

“It’s a great matchup, those two guys,” Rodgers said. “I have a lot of respect for Pat because he plays both sides. He plays in the slot. Not many star coverage corners do that.”

Rodgers, 40, also spoke highly of former Jets teammate Zach Wilson, now the third-team Broncos quarterback. Wilson, 25, started in 11 games for New York last season after Rodgers suffered a severe Achilles injury in Week 1.

“I still keep tabs on (Wilson) and keep in touch,” Rodgers said. “I love Zach. I always looked at him like a little brother. I enjoyed our time together, on and off the field, and I wish him a lot of success. I was really happy for him, the way he finished up preseason. I think this will be a good year for him to kind of reset. Then, hopefully, he gets an opportunity down the road.”

Rodgers didn’t take the bait when asked to revisit coach Sean Payton’s harsh words from last year about Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

The Broncos fired Hackett as head coach in season after going 4-11 in 2022. Payton told USA Today that it was “one of the worst coaching jobs in the NFL.” Payton later said he regretted making the comment.

Rodgers has since moved on from the off-field drama.

“That’s old news,” Rodgers told local Jets media on Wednesday. “We’ve all said things that we’d like to take back. Some things have been said and taken out of context I’m sure from time to time. But I honestly haven’t thought about it until you just brought it up.”

The Jets are 2-1 entering the Broncos game with Rodgers playing well in his 20th NFL season. He’s completed 58 of 86 passes (67%) for 624 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.