On Monday, the New York Jets encountered their first significant test of the season with a rocky practice session that revealed both the promise and the challenges ahead. It was the Jets' inaugural practice in pads, and for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the day was filled with visible frustration and impatience.
The seasoned quarterback struggled to find his rhythm, marred by a cascade of blunders from his teammates. Just two plays into the practice, Rodgers threw an interception, a misstep influenced by wide receiver Allen Lazard's dropped pass. Lazard, a recent addition to the Jets this offseason, acknowledged the overall sloppiness of the team’s performance.
"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 said, reflecting on the day’s setbacks.
Rodgers’ frustrations were compounded by a series of unfortunate events. He faced numerous "sacks" and was hindered by about half-a-dozen off-target snaps from Joe Tippmann, the team's 2023 second-round draft pick. Tippmann's inaccurate snaps forced Rodgers to leap for the ball repeatedly, disrupting the quarterback’s flow.
The issues didn’t stop there. Rodgers also found himself stepped on by either Tippmann or offensive lineman John Simpson during the course of the practice. Despite having looked sharp in camp prior to Monday, Rodgers' efforts were consistently undermined, bringing to light the challenges the team must overcome as they aim to improve from their league-low 18 touchdowns last season.
Head Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in Tippmann's performance. "Yeah, he has to work on it. There's clearly something going on," said Saleh, bluntly addressing the snapped passes issue.
The crux of Rodgers’ challenge is integrating into a team that hasn’t experienced his level of standard and play. Lazard described Rodgers as "demonstrative," highlighting the significant adjustment for many players and the organization as a whole.
"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 noted.
The practice session also saw Rodgers take Tippmann aside to practice snaps with a coach, underscoring the veteran quarterback's high expectations and commitment to refining the team's execution. Tyler Conklin, the Jets’ tight end, emphasized the positive aspect of having a leader like Rodgers.
"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.
Rodgers is back on the field after missing all but the first four snaps of the 2023 season due to Achilles surgery. His return brings hope and a fresh dynamic, with the quarterback intent on adding another Super Bowl ring to his illustrious career. Conklin further underscored the importance of Rodgers' presence for the Jets.
"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.
Monday’s practice session served as a valuable, albeit challenging, stepping stone for the Jets. As the team works to integrate Rodgers into their system and elevate their overall performance, the expectation for high standards and accountability becomes evident. With continued effort and adjustment, Rodgers’ influence has the potential to transform the Jets into a formidable contender in the season ahead.