A Rocky Start for Aaron Rodgers at the Jets' First Padded Practice
The New York Jets' first padded practice of the season on Monday wasn't the smooth transition into high-intensity drills that many hoped for. As the Jets look to integrate veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers into their system, the team faced a litany of issues that kept everyone on their toes—most prominently, Rodgers himself.
Rodgers, known for his exceptionally high standards, visibly grappled with frustration throughout the practice. The seasoned quarterback struggled to find his rhythm amidst a series of missteps from his teammates, setting the tone for a tension-filled session.
Early in the practice, Rodgers threw an interception only two plays in—a mistake influenced by a dropped pass from wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard, a recent addition to the team this offseason, reflected on the mishap. "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 admitted.
The struggles didn't end there. Rodgers faced numerous "sacks" during the practice, hampering his ability to execute plays smoothly. Additionally, he dealt with about half-a-dozen off-target shotgun snaps from Joe Tippmann, forcing the quarterback to repeatedly jump for the ball. Tippmann, a second-round draft pick this year, has been struggling with his snaps since the start of the camp. Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged these challenges, saying, "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on."
Rodgers' frustration reached a peak when he ended up being stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson. The veteran quarterback, who missed all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to an Achilles surgery, had previously looked sharp in camp, making Monday's setbacks particularly jarring.
On the sidelines, Rodgers and Tippmann worked through numerous snaps with a coach, indicating a focused effort to rectify their issues. Simultaneously, Rodgers engaged in a candid and heated conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, emphasizing the high stakes and even higher expectations.
Tight end Tyler Conklin saw a silver lining amidst the chaos. "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 remarked.
Conklin further elaborated on the new standard Rodgers brings to the team. "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."
It's no secret that the Jets are striving to improve upon their previous season, where they scored a league-low 18 touchdowns. Integrating Rodgers is seen as a crucial step towards elevating the team's performance. Lazard pointed out the adjustment period the team is undergoing with a quarterback of Rodgers' caliber. "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 said.
Rodgers' ambitions are clear: he aims to add another Super Bowl ring to his illustrious career. His leadership, though sometimes stern, is viewed as a vital component in setting higher standards for the team. Success will depend on how quickly the Jets can adapt to these demands and iron out their current issues.
While Monday's practice exposed several areas needing improvement, it also underscored the potential for growth and the new level of accountability that Rodgers brings to the Jets. As the team continues to gel with their star quarterback, the hope is that these early teething problems will translate into a more cohesive and effective unit come game day.