Rocky Start for Jets' First Padded Practice of the Season
The New York Jets had a turbulent practice session on Monday, marking their first session in pads this season. Expectations were high, particularly with the presence of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the day was marred by a series of on-field blunders and evident frustration from their new leader.
Aaron Rodgers, who joined the Jets with a mission to elevate their performance, showed visible signs of anger and impatience throughout the practice. The veteran quarterback, known for his high standards and precision, struggled to find his rhythm amidst mistakes by his teammates.
During the practice, Rodgers threw an interception just two plays in, influenced by a dropped pass from wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard, who signed with the Jets this off-season, expressed the collective sentiment of the team. "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.
Complicating the situation further, Rodgers faced numerous "sacks" and a series of 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 the camp. The inaccurate snaps forced Rodgers to jump repeatedly to catch the ball, disrupting the flow of the practice. Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged the issue, stating, "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on." Tippmann took to the sideline to practice his snaps with Rodgers and a coach in an effort to rectify the problem.
Adding to the misfortunes, Rodgers was accidentally stepped on by either Joe Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson during drills. This followed a heated exchange Rodgers had with wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the sideline, highlighting the growing pains the team is experiencing as they integrate their new quarterback into the system.
Despite the setbacks, it's important to note that Rodgers has looked sharp in camp prior to Monday's practice. The practice session served as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in harmonizing a team that scored a league-low 18 touchdowns last season. The Jets are under significant pressure to improve, and Rodgers, who missed all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to an Achilles surgery, is expected to play a pivotal role in that transformation.
Tight end Tyler Conklin shared his perspective on the dynamic Rodgers brings to the team. "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 said. He added, "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."
Monday's rocky practice underscores the long journey ahead as the Jets look to integrate Rodgers and elevate their performance. The veteran quarterback is clearly demanding excellence, and while the growing pains are evident, his leadership and high standards could eventually set a new benchmark for the entire team. The upcoming practices will be crucial as the Jets aim to iron out these issues and build a cohesive, championship-caliber squad.