Aaron Rodgers was warned. In April, the New York Jets quarterback was informed by coach Robert Saleh to count on a “powerful” coaching camp.
With only some days remaining, Rodgers known as this some of the taxing camps he has skilled in a few years — and he sort of likes it.
“I might say the camp is way tougher this yr and perhaps the toughest within the final seven or eight of my profession,” Rodgers informed reporters Tuesday after apply.
By Saleh’s depend, the Jets have taken 300 extra apply reps than they’d at this level final yr, Rodgers mentioned. It is noteworthy as a result of it exhibits the group is not involved about Rodgers’ age (he turns 41 in December) or his restoration from Achilles surgical procedure final Sept. 13.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
Saleh, underneath stress to win after an 18-33 file in his first three seasons, has preached a businesslike strategy this summer season, based on gamers. The Jets have the NFL’s longest playoff drought (13 years), and there is a “now or by no means” really feel across the franchise.
On Wednesday, Saleh proclaimed Rodgers prepared for the common season — a sign that he most likely will not play his quarterback within the last preseason sport.
“I felt like he was the place we would have liked him when he first walked in,” Saleh mentioned. “His arm is 30. You guys see him every single day. His arm remains to be 30. … He is nonetheless bought loads of mobility. I believe he is completely prepared.”
As Rodgers famous, there are “plenty of completely different colleges of thought” on how exhausting to work a crew in coaching camp. The four-time MVP, for one, mentioned he likes the way in which Saleh is attacking the season.
“A few of the older gamers are having fun with the — to steal a training phrase — the ‘callus’ a part of coaching camp, the place you are grinding,” Rodgers mentioned. “Some individuals consider that, though it places extra pressure on you in coaching camp, it really will get you extra able to play when the season begins.
“And a few individuals consider the other. You know the way it goes: No matter groups are having success, individuals sort of take a look at their schedule and go, ‘Let’s try this.'”
Paradoxically, given all that, Rodgers bought the time off Tuesday — a veteran’s relaxation day, Saleh known as it. He expects a heavy workload Wednesday once they host the New York Giants for a joint apply, so Saleh used Tuesday as a lightweight day for his starters. Center linebacker C.J. Mosley additionally rested.
The Jets (2-0) shut the preseason Saturday night time in opposition to the Giants, then open the season on the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Evening Soccer.” Rodgers did not play within the first two preseason video games, and it does not sound as if he’ll play in opposition to the Giants. Saleh hasn’t revealed his plans, though he hinted early in camp that his “intuition” is to sit down Rodgers.
Rodgers mentioned he has no desire. The additional work in camp, he mentioned, has ready him for the season, though he acknowledged that he nonetheless hasn’t taken a success.
“I be ok with the place I’m with my physique and what I’ve put collectively,” he mentioned. “I really feel like I’ve achieved various things all through camp so far as the rollouts, roll out and pulling up, getting out of the pocket and making performs, going again throughout my physique, pump-faking and lengthening performs and getting some yards. I really feel like I’ve achieved quite a bit.”
Rodgers performed two sequence within the 2023 preseason finale, when he was new to the crew and the Jets had been putting in a brand new offense. A yr later, he feels much less urgency to have a last gown rehearsal.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett mentioned Rodgers is “just a little bit older, so he has misplaced just a little little bit of the pace he used to have.” On the identical time, he praised the star quarterback for his conditioning and the willpower he confirmed throughout his Achilles restoration.
“I give a lot credit score to Aaron, the issues that he has put himself by means of to have the ability to get again to the place he’s at proper now,” Hackett mentioned.
