Veteran Rodgers Faces Rocky First Padded Practice with Jets
Monday marked a pivotal moment for the New York Jets as they conducted their first padded practice of the season. However, the session was marred by difficulties, especially for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who displayed visible signs of frustration and impatience throughout the intense workout.
Rodgers, a seasoned quarterback known for his impeccable precision, found himself struggling to find any rhythm amidst a litany of mistakes from his teammates. Within the early moments, he threw an interception—an event influenced by a dropped pass from wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard, who joined the Jets in the offseason, appeared to have a challenging session as well.
“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, reflecting on the rocky practice.
Rodgers' troubles didn't end with the interception. He endured numerous simulated "sacks," repeatedly facing off-target shotgun snaps from Joe Tippmann, a second-round draft pick from 2023. The inaccurate snaps caused Rodgers to jump for the ball multiple times, disrupting any potential flow in the offense. Moreover, Rodgers experienced a particularly painful moment when he was stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson.
Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged Tippmann's struggles: “Yeah, he has to work on it. There’s clearly something going on.” Tippmann, aware of the issues, practiced his snaps with Rodgers and a coach on the sideline, attempting to resolve the snapping inconsistencies that plagued the practice.
Despite widespread difficulties, Rodgers' high expectations and his reaction to Monday’s subpar practice were telling. “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,” Lazard stated. “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.”
Rodgers, whose quest is to add another Super Bowl ring to his storied career, has carried a clear message: excellence is the baseline. His approach hasn't gone unnoticed among his teammates. Tight end Tyler Conklin emphasized Rodgers' influence, noting, “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.”
Rodgers' aspirations have set a new standard for the Jets, a team that scored a league-low 18 touchdowns last season. Conklin 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.”
The rocky practice was a stark contrast to Rodgers' otherwise sharp performance in camp prior to Monday's session. His visible frustrations and the multiple setbacks highlighted the challenge of integrating a quarterback of his caliber into the Jets' system, aiming not only to rectify their previous offensive failings but also to ascend to new heights under his leadership.
The practice session underscored the intricate dance of meshing a legendary quarterback with a young, hopeful team. Rodgers, having missed all but the first four snaps of the previous season due to Achilles surgery, is clearly eager to make an immediate impact. His authoritative presence and high standards suggest that while the road may be bumpy, the Jets are poised to rise under his guidance.
The future for Rodgers and the Jets may be uncertain, but if Monday's practice is any indication, the journey will be defined by a relentless pursuit of perfection, fostered by one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.