FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Aaron Rodgers threw some nice passes in practice. cameras clicked. Reporters tweeted.
Relax, Jets fans. Everything is fine again.
Rodgers attended practice for the first time in front of the media on Tuesday after a calf strain prevented him from doing so from the meetings of the last two weeks were present as reporters.
“There were some ‘wow’ moments,” said coach Robert Saleh. “I am sure there will be many more.”
Rodgers, 39, who was acquired from Green Bay by New York in April, pinched his right calf while warming up on May 23 – the first practice open to reporters since trading. Last Tuesday, when the media returned, he was mostly a spectator, spending time with coaches and on the stationary bike before throwing in a few passes on the side.
Rodgers returned to the field last Friday and has been training ever since. However, the four-time NFL MVP isn’t a full participant just yet. He does everything – drills, 7v7, two-minute games, red zone – except 11v11 team drills.
“Any team that has people around his legs, we stopped him from doing that,” Saleh said.
A few dozen reporters and TV camera crews were back in full force Tuesday after the Jets tweeted a number of Rodgers throws — including one — in practice Monday perfectly placed spiral to tight end CJ Uzomah.
“That was a dirty throw,” Saleh said.
On Tuesday, Rodgers failed on a short pass to Uzomah but then recovered with short touchdown throws to Garrett Wilson – a back-shoulder fade – and undrafted rookie Jason Brownlee.
“He just has an incredible vision,” Saleh said. “He can see everything. He has so much experience. I mean, when you give him that much, you’re completely open.”
It’s only June, of course, and training camp is only six weeks away – and the start of the regular season is three months away. But Rodgers continues to make an early impression on his new teammates.
“He makes a difference with his confidence, he makes a difference with his communication and he makes a difference with his high level of play,” said left-back Laken Tomlinson. “There’s really something special about working with someone of that caliber, and it makes everyone feel special about doing their best every day.”
And it’s not just on offense that Rodgers achieves this effect by helping coordinator Nathaniel Hackett install his system.
“It’s a different vibe,” said linebacker CJ Mosley. “He sets the bar. He sets expectations with his CV, with his name and the way he approaches the game every day. As a linebacker and as a defender, suffice it to say, it’s not every day you have to face off against a future Hall of Famer.” Famed quarterback.
“You can test your skills, knowledge and skills every day. As a defensive player we are honored and frankly truly blessed to be in this situation and try to grow into a better defense together and as a team.”
Rodgers has made no secret since joining the Jets that he believes they can be winners. He referred to this during his introductory press conference the “lonely” Super Bowl III trophy from 1969 – still the only time the franchise participated in the NFL’s biggest game.
During one of the two Taylor Swift concerts he recently attended at MetLife Stadium, Rodgers joked, “The Jets won the Super Bowl!” while confetti fell around him.
Rodgers’ presence has turned a Jets team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 12 years, the longest active losing streak in the league, into one of some sportsbooks’ Super Bowl favorites.
“It’s just a bigger goal on our backs,” Mosley said of the increased expectations. “And that’s exactly what we want. We want people to give us everything they have. We want to go into other people’s stadiums and hear everything they have to say so we can shut them up after the game.”
“It’s what it takes to win the Super Bowl. It’s what we need to grow as a team, be competitive and be able to win the tough games to come.”
NOTES: Saleh announced that the Jets will not be holding their mandatory mini-camp originally scheduled for next week. With New York opening camp a week earlier than usual because they face Cleveland in their Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3, Saleh wants to give the players a little more downtime. … Saleh reiterated his confidence in the Jets’ contract extension of All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams. Williams did not attend the voluntary portion of the offseason while awaiting his new contract. “I’ll leave all the business to the businessmen, but they’ll get it done,” Saleh said. “He’ll be here for (training) camp.” He’ll be ready to roll. And when it is, I’m sure it will be the same guy that was here.”
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