Aaron Rodgers starts the ‘other’ Jets training camp with a patient approach
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made his much-anticipated debut at training camp on Thursday, embracing the great expectations and excitement that a fresh start brings.
“Everything is different,” he said after his first training session. “Nineteen years later there have been many training camps – all at 1265 Lombardi. The performance at One Jets Drive was a bit different.”
That’s his approach.
the previous Green Bay Packers The star, who joined the Jets in April, finds himself surrounded by new teammates learning an offensive system he mastered years ago. Rodgers also teaches on the side and impresses teammates and coaches with his patient leadership style.
“He’s a coach who can still play football,” said Jets coach Robert Saleh.
Rodgers, 39, admitted he wasn’t always so caring, but the circumstances are very different from Green Bay. The four-time MVP recognizes the importance of fueling a potentially explosive offense.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot over the years,” Rodgers said. “Yeah, I would say earlier in my career I was a little upset. I feel like I’m a little less triggered as I get older.”
Rodgers pulled to the side Garrett Wilson on the field for a brief chat Thursday after the sophomore receiver said he “screwed up a play” and noted that Rodgers calmly explained what should have happened on the play.
wide receiver Allen LazardAnother former Packer said Rodgers “open his arms, put out his hand, try to help the guys, try to teach.”
“That’s not to say it was difficult playing with him in Green Bay,” Lazard said. “He was more like, ‘You have to take matters into your own hands.’ He notices a little slower here that there are many new players. He takes his time. I see. I can see how much he cares about these guys and how much he really wants to be the icing on the cake in his career.”
Rodgers, who won a Super Bowl title with the Packers, has been candid about the Jets being a Super Bowl-caliber team — and his confidence is infectious.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush, man: we want to win the Super Bowl,” said Wilson, one of the team’s young stars. “You don’t take steps like we do unless you want to go there.”
The Jets, who have the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 12, have not faced such great expectations in 13 years.
“It’s spectacular,” Rodgers said of the increased attention, which includes an appearance this summer on HBO’s Hard Knocks.
First practice was sloppy for the offense, a reminder that we still have a lot of work to do. Rodgers expressed the urgency, noting that several veteran players were unavailable for training in OTAs. The Jets are still without a running back Breece Halltight end CJ Uzomah and wide receivers Randall Cobball recovering from injuries.
“We need to integrate all of these people into what we’re doing in a short amount of time,” Rodgers said. “And we will.”
On day one, Rodgers spoke enthusiastically about the potential of the Jets – now and in the future. He hasn’t committed to playing for more than a year, but he certainly sounded like he wants to stay on.
“I love the young energy and excitement,” he said. “There is a great feeling in this team, the people are young and very talented, many of them have signed their first contracts.
