A Rocky Start for Rodgers and the Jets
The New York Jets experienced a turbulent start to their Monday practice session, the first in pads this season, marred by a series of missteps and tensions on the field. Emblematic of the day's struggles was the visible frustration of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has looked sharp in camp prior to this session.
Rodgers, who is aiming to add another Super Bowl ring to his storied career, faced numerous challenges that disrupted his rhythm. His struggles began early on with an interception just two plays into practice, a mishap influenced by a dropped pass from wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard, who joined the Jets this offseason, reflected on the day's events. "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 lamented.
The practice saw Rodgers repeatedly jumping for off-target shotgun snaps from rookie Joe Tippmann, a second-round pick in 2023. These mishandled snaps, around half a dozen in total, forced Rodgers into precarious positions frequently. Tippmann's struggles were evident from the start of camp, prompting practice sessions on the sidelines with Rodgers and a coach.
Unfortunately, the challenges didn't end there. During the practice, Rodgers also experienced numerous "sacks" and at one point, was stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson. These constant disruptions seemed to augment Rodgers' frustration, leading to a heated conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the sideline. Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged the struggles, stating, "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on."
Despite the rocky practice, there is a silver lining seen by some around the team. Tight end Tyler Conklin praised the high standards that Rodgers brings to the organization. "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's sentiment was echoed by Lazard, who acknowledged that Rodgers' high standards might be new for many in the organization. "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."
The Jets, who scored a league-low 18 touchdowns last season, have a long road ahead as they aim to elevate their performance and integrate Rodgers into their system effectively. "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, reinforcing the positive implications of having a seasoned leader like Rodgers navigating them through turbulent times.
The Monday practice session, albeit fraught with difficulties, serves as a crucial learning phase for the Jets as they adapt to new rhythms and higher expectations. The visible frustration from their veteran quarterback, while concerning, might just be the catalyst that the team needs to wake up and rise to the challenges ahead.
As the Jets work to smooth out these early-season wrinkles, the hope remains that Rodgers' exacting standards and experience will eventually translate into a stronger, more cohesive unit on the field. For now, it is clear that growing pains are part of the process, and Monday's practice offered a stark reminder of the journey ahead.