The New York Jets saw — and heard — Aaron Rodgers’ fiery side as the star quarterback was visibly upset throughout his team’s sloppy practice session on Monday.
Rodgers threw an interception on the second play, on a well-thrown ball to receiver Allen Lazard, and things got worse after that. There were a handful of sacks and a half-dozen inaccurate throws by center Joe Tippmann that forced Rodgers to jump for the ball.
On another play, Rodgers was furious after falling to the ground after left guard John Simpson stepped on his foot.
Rodgers’ mood was probably made worse by the stifling heat of the New York day.
“I would say ‘demonstrative’ is a good word to describe him,” said Lazard, Rodgers’ former teammate with the Green Bay Packers. “He’s one of the best, if not the best quarterbacks of all time, and his level of play is something a lot of people haven’t seen here yet. Even the organization hasn’t been in contact with him on game day yet, because being on the sideline with him on Sunday is different.”
“Honestly, he expects the same level of expectation from everyone that he expects from himself, and today that wasn’t the case at all. I think as an offense we were a little sloppy.”
Tight end Tyler Conklin called it a good learning experience. It’s been several years since the Jets had a player of Rodgers’ caliber – and reputation – at quarterback.
“I think that’s the beauty of playing with a great guy like him,” Conklin said. “You have somebody who’s going to hold everybody accountable at all times, no matter who you are. I think that’s something that not every team has. I think it’s a blessing to have somebody who cares that much and has that level of expectation.”
Conklin said Rodgers sees the game a certain way, and he wants others to see it the same way. That can be difficult because Conklin says Rodgers, 40, is “the Oppenheimer of football.”
Rodgers, who is coming off Achilles surgery, has looked comfortable in training camp. The interception thrown was his first in five practices.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and Rodgers had a heated conversation on the sideline Saturday, appearing to discuss a play that had gone wrong, before shaking hands after the game was over.
One potential concern for the Jets is Tippmann, a 2023 second-round pick who has struggled since the start of camp. Tippmann sat out Monday and worked out with Rodgers and a trainer, but the issue persisted.
He’s got to work on it,” coach Robert Saleh said. “There’s clearly something going on.”
2024-07-29 23:24:00
#NFL #Aaron #Rodgers #Jets #unhappy #teammates #training #camp
