A Rocky Start for Rodgers and the Jets in First Padded Practice
The New York Jets' first padded practice of the season quickly turned into a rocky affair, marked by visible frustration from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As the team readjusts and integrates new elements into their system, the growing pains were on full display Monday.
Rodgers, renowned for his precision and high standards, struggled to find his rhythm amidst a multitude of errors from his teammates. His frustration became apparent just two plays into the practice when a dropped pass by wide receiver Allen Lazard resulted in an interception.
“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,” Lazard remarked, capturing the sentiment of the day. Lazard, who joined the Jets this offseason, understands the high expectations that come with playing alongside a quarterback of Rodgers' caliber.
Rodgers, who missed all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to an Achilles surgery, appeared keen to establish his dominance and sharpness in camp. However, Monday was not reflective of his usual persona. Over the course of the practice, Rodgers experienced numerous simulated "sacks" and about half-a-dozen off-target shotgun snaps from rookie Joe Tippmann.
Tippmann, a second-round draft pick in 2023, has been struggling with his snaps since the start of camp. His inaccuracy on Monday forced Rodgers to frequently jump for the ball, disrupting the offensive flow. Tippmann's struggles did not go unnoticed by Head Coach Robert Saleh, who candidly noted, “Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on.”
Rodgers' frustration peaked when he was stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson. This, combined with continuous fumbles and inaccuracies, led to a heated conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the sideline.
Despite the rough session, Rodgers' teammates find positivity in his high standards and expectations. Tight end Tyler Conklin emphasized the unique advantage of having a Hall of Fame quarterback driving the team. “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,” Conklin stated.
The Jets have their sights set on improving from a dismal previous season, in which they scored a league-low 18 touchdowns. The addition of Rodgers aims to elevate both the offensive and defensive expectations. “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,” Conklin added.
Monday's practice, though fraught with errors, serves as a critical step in the Jets' efforts to integrate Rodgers into their system and raise their performance standards. “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," Lazard acknowledged.
Despite the setbacks, there is a collective understanding within the team of the invaluable experience Rodgers brings. As the Jets push forward with their preseason training, Monday’s practice stands as a reminder of the significant adjustments and the hard work required to meet the high bar set by their new quarterback. With time and effort, the team hopes to translate Rodgers' high standards into success on the field.