In what was supposed to be a milestone for the New York Jets, the team's first padded practice of the season turned into a rather rocky affair. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, known for his composure, struggled to mask his frustration amidst a series of errors from his teammates.
The highly anticipated practice session saw Rodgers visibly agitated and impatient, an unusual sight for fans and players alike. His struggles began early, throwing an interception just two plays into the practice. The unfortunate turn of events was triggered by a dropped pass from wide receiver Allen Lazard, a player who recently 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 admitted after the tumultuous practice.
Rodgers' Uneven Performance
Rodgers faced numerous "sacks" during the practice and contended with about half-a-dozen off-target shotgun snaps from Joe Tippmann, a second-round draft pick in 2023. The inconsistent snaps caused Rodgers to jump for the ball repeatedly, hampering his ability to find a rhythm. Rodgers' frustrations were further compounded when he was inadvertently stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson.
Rodgers has been recovering from an Achilles surgery that kept him out of all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season. Thus far, he had looked sharp in camp, but Monday’s practice was a stark deviation. "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on," Head Coach Robert Saleh said, commenting on Tippmann's struggles with snapping.
Learning From the Best
Despite the setbacks, there’s a silver lining to be found in Rodgers' exacting standards, which could ultimately elevate the Jets' performance. Tyler Conklin shared his perspective on playing alongside a seasoned pro like Rodgers, emphasizing the added responsibility and accountability Rodgers instills in 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.
Improving the Offense
The Jets' offense has considerable ground to cover, having scored a league-low 18 touchdowns last season. Rodgers' presence and high standards could be pivotal in turning things around. The practice session was intended to integrate Rodgers into their system more effectively, pushing the team towards a higher level of performance.
"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. Rodgers' quest for another Super Bowl ring adds an extra layer of determination and urgency to the Jets' preparations for the new season.
Building Cohesion
In an effort to address the snapping issues, Tippmann practiced his snaps with Rodgers and a coach on the sideline, aiming for better coordination in the future. The pressure is on Tippmann to refine his technique as the camp progresses, and Saleh has been keen on maintaining high expectations.
Rodgers also didn't shy away from having a heated sideline conversation with wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Such interactions, although intense, may lead to improvements if they encourage players to rise to the standards Rodgers sets. Allen Lazard noted, "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."
Ultimately, Rodgers' impeccable standards and undeniable talent could be the catalyst that helps the Jets overcome their prior shortcomings. As the players adapt to match his level of play, the team’s overall performance is poised to improve. Whether they rise to the occasion and leverage Rodgers' presence to their full advantage remains to be seen as the season approaches.