New York Jets Face Rocky First Padded Practice
On Monday, the New York Jets had their first padded practice of the season, and it was an eventful session filled with visible frustration and a series of struggles, notably involving veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This practice, meant to integrate Rodgers into the system and elevate team performance, instead highlighted the hurdles the Jets must overcome.
Rodgers, who returned to the field after missing all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to an Achilles surgery, showed signs of anger and impatience. "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," said wide receiver Allen Lazard, who joined the Jets this offseason.
The rocky session saw Rodgers throwing an interception just two plays into practice, influenced by a dropped pass from Lazard. This was among several blunders that punctuated the practice. The quarterback, who has looked sharp in camp prior to this session, faced numerous "sacks" and had to contend with about half-a-dozen off-target shotgun snaps from Joe Tippmann, the Jets' second-round draft pick in 2023. The errant snaps caused Rodgers to jump repeatedly for the ball, disrupting his rhythm and leading to more frustration.
Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged Tippmann's struggles, saying, "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on." The rookie has been having trouble with his snaps since the camp started, and his issues became a focal point during the practice. Tippmann practiced his snaps with Rodgers and a coach on the sideline, an effort to correct the problem and ensure future practices run smoothly.
Rodgers’ frustration was palpable throughout the session, including a heated conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the sidelines. This intensity, however, is something his teammates see as a positive influence. "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 explained.
Rodgers aims to add another Super Bowl ring to his illustrious career, and his high standards are seen as a necessary force to drive the Jets forward. Tight end Tyler Conklin echoed this sentiment, 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."
The Jets, who scored a league-low 18 touchdowns last season, are in dire need of improvement on offense. Rodgers' leadership and high expectations are viewed as essential elements to transform the team's performance. Conklin emphasized this, 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."
While Monday’s practice was rocky, it served as a crucial step in the Jets' preparation. The team now has a clear view of the challenges ahead and the areas needing improvement. With Rodgers at the helm, holding everyone accountable to the highest standards, the Jets will work to adjust and strive towards a successful season.