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

At 41 years old, he has demonstrated a skill set that has helped him win four NFL Most Valuable Player awards.

That’s why the Rams’ young defensive players are looking forward to the opportunity to play against the future Hall of Famer on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

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

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

A defeat would destroy their momentum.

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

Despite the turmoil, Rodgers has thrown 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a team with more talent than its dismal record suggests.

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

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

“He’s one of the guys in the GOAT conversation — one of the best players that ever lived,” said Verse, who has 4½ sacks. “To line up opposite him and try to make some plays, figure out how he reads me and vice versa, that will be exciting.”

In 2022, then-rookie cornerback Cobie Durant played opposite 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 one interception as the Packers defeated the Rams 24-12 at Lambeau Field.

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

After tearing his Achilles tendon in the 2023 opener, Rodgers’ mobility was no longer what it was when he drove defensive coordinators crazy with his ability to extend plays.

Not much else has changed, Durant said.

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

Chris Shula was defensive line coach when the Rams played Rodgers in 2018, during the 2020 NFC divisional round, and in 2021 and 2022.

Now Shula is the defensive coordinator and plans to neutralize one of the best passers in NFL history.

“The game moves so slowly for him that you can’t really outsmart him,” Shula said. “He’s sort of seen it all.”

Rodgers’ ball placement makes it particularly difficult for defensive backs to cover receivers.

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

Lately, Rodgers seems to be back to his best form. Against the Jaguars, he rushed for a team-high 45 yards.

“He’s really moving a lot better in the last three weeks,” Shula said. “Kinda looks like himself.”

Receiver Davante Adams helped Rodgers get back on track.

Adams and Rodgers played together in Green Bay for eight seasons 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 of which was for 71 yards.

The Rams secondary is putting together one of its best performances of the season. In the 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, the defensive backs intercepted nine passes and cornerback Darious Williams intercepted one pass.

Rodgers is another level.

“We know he’s going to make fantastic throws,” safety Quentin Lake said. “Our job is to minimize his ability to make those explosive plays while also putting ourselves in positions where we can maybe get a tip that results in a loss of possession or knocking 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 will be fun to say the least,” Williams said.

However, how much fun the Rams have will depend on the outcome.