A Rocky Start for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets
The New York Jets experienced a tumultuous practice session on Monday, marking their first fully-padded workout of the season. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who joined the Jets with hopes of revitalizing their offense, struggled to find his rhythm amidst a series of miscues from his teammates.
Rodgers' frustration was palpable. Two plays into the practice, he threw an interception—a misstep triggered by a dropped pass from new wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard, who joined the Jets this offseason, acknowledged the team’s subpar performance, stating, "Honestly, he expects the same standard that he holds himself to out of everyone else, and today just didn't resemble that at all. I think as an offense we were just a little bit sloppy."
Adding to the rocky session, Rodgers endured multiple "sacks" and had to navigate around a flurry of off-target shotgun snaps from 2023 second-round draft pick Joe Tippmann. The inaccurate snaps forced Rodgers to repeatedly jump for the ball, disrupting the flow of practice.
"Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on," said Head Coach Robert Saleh regarding Tippmann’s struggles. Tippmann, who has been battling with his snaps since the start of the camp, practiced his technique on the sideline with Rodgers and a coach.
In a particularly troubling moment, Rodgers was stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson. Despite these setbacks, Rodgers is determined to integrate himself into the Jets' system and elevate the team's performance after missing all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to Achilles surgery.
The Jets, who scored a league-low 18 touchdowns last season, are in dire need of a resurgence, and much of their hopes rest on Rodgers' shoulders. "I would say 'demonstrative' is a good word for him. You're talking about one of the best, if not the best quarterback of all time, and his standard and level of play is something a lot of guys haven't seen yet. Even this organization—they haven't really been with him on game day because being with him on the sideline on a Sunday is different," commented Lazard.
Rodgers' impatience was evident during the session, including a heated conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the sideline. His leadership style, while intense, is seen by some as a crucial element for a team aiming to overhaul its fortunes. "I think that's the beauty of playing with a great like that. You have someone that's going to, at all times, hold everybody accountable, no matter who you are. I think that's kind of something that not every team has. I think that's really a blessing at the end of the day to have someone that cares that much and has a standard like that," said tight end Tyler Conklin.
Conklin went on to stress the importance of Rodgers' presence, saying, "That's going to become our standard as a team. But to have a Hall of Famer who has won a Super Bowl—been there, done that—I think that's necessary."
Despite the shortcomings of Monday’s practice, Rodgers has shown sharpness during camp prior to this session. The team remains optimistic that with time and perseverance, these initial hurdles can be overcome. Training sessions like Monday's are critical for developing the cohesiveness needed to make a strong push in the upcoming season.
Rodgers, who aims to add another Super Bowl ring to his illustrious career, is no stranger to high expectations. As the Jets strive to elevate their game, Monday’s practice serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. The early struggles might just be the growing pains necessary for a long-term transformation.