The New York Jets faced a rocky practice session on Monday, their first in pads this season, as they work to integrate veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers into their system. The practice, however, was marked by a series of difficulties, particularly involving the offense's cohesiveness and execution.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has looked sharp throughout camp, struggled to find his rhythm amidst frequent breakdowns from his teammates. Early into practice, Rodgers' frustration became visible, revealing signs of anger and impatience. His difficulties were compounded when he threw an interception just two plays into the session, influenced by a dropped pass from wide receiver Allen Lazard, who joined the Jets this offseason.
"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 commented on the practice mishaps.
Rodgers' struggles didn't stop with the interception. He experienced numerous "sacks" during the practice, as well as about half-a-dozen off-target shotgun snaps from Joe Tippmann. The inaccurate snaps forced Rodgers to jump repeatedly to catch the ball, adding to his frustration. The miscommunication also led to an incident where Rodgers was stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson.
Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged the ongoing issues with Tippmann's snaps, stating, "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on." Tippmann, a second-round draft pick in 2023, has struggled with his snaps since the start of the camp. The young center spent additional time practicing snaps with Rodgers and a coach on the sideline in an effort to correct the issue.
In a moment that underscored the day's frustrations, Rodgers had a heated conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the sideline. Yet, despite the rocky practice, Rodgers' high standards and demanding leadership may ultimately benefit the Jets' performance this season.
"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 noted.
The practice session is intended to help the Jets integrate Rodgers into their system and elevate their performance, particularly as the team aims to improve upon their league-low 18 touchdowns scored last season. Rodgers, who missed all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to Achilles surgery, is focused on adding another Super Bowl ring to his illustrious career.
Tight end Tyler Conklin highlighted Rodgers' ability to hold his teammates accountable, saying, "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."
Conklin further emphasized the importance of Rodgers' leadership, stating, "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."
As the Jets continue their pre-season preparations, the integration of Aaron Rodgers remains a focal point. Despite the struggles witnessed during Monday's practice, the team's efforts to adapt to Rodgers' expectations and standard of excellence could lay the groundwork for a much-improved season. The coming weeks will be crucial in solidifying the offense and ironing out the wrinkles that marred an otherwise pivotal session.