Aaron Rodgers Says This Jets Training Camp Was The Toughest He's Had In Years
Mike Stobe. Getty Images.SOURCE - Aaron Rodgers was warned. In April, the New York Jets quarterback was told by coach Robert Saleh to expect a "tough" training camp.
"I would say the camp is much harder this year and maybe the hardest in the last seven or eight of my career," Rodgers told reporters Tuesday after practice.
By Saleh's count, the Jets have taken 300 more practice reps than they had at this point last year, Rodgers said. It's noteworthy because it shows the organization isn't concerned about Rodgers' age (he turns 41 in December) or his recovery from Achilles surgery last Sept. 13.
It seems like Robert Saleh isn't fucking around. It's pretty clear that he realizes his job hinges on this upcoming season for the Jets. They win 8 or less games and Woody Johnson will be waiting at the Jets office with a cardboard box for him on January 6th.
I'm torn on whether I think it's good to push these guys so hard in training camp. I can't even say what they did in training camp last year worked or didn't. Obviously going 7-10 sucks but if Rodgers stays healthy, that team wins 11 or so games. If that's the case, the 2023 training camp was a rousing success.
I just hope Rodgers isn't getting pushed too much. He didn't seem too upset about the extra reps and other than him reporting late, he's been on the same page with Saleh since he came to the Jets. They've kept him out of the first two pre-season games and it sounds like he won't play Saturday against the Giants. Maybe (hopefully, please, for the love of God) that will keep him ready to go for the start of the season at perfect health.
The Jets and Giants had a joint practice today:
I know the Giants are going to be dogshit this year but this is exactly the kind of tweets you want to see on a Wednesday in August if you are a Jets fan. Maybe there is something to be said for having these guys work so hard. My level of excitement for this season is off the charts. The only thing even more pronounced than my enthusiasm is absolute terror that something will go wrong. I don't like that they start the season against the 49ers and against Leonard Floyd, who was the player who sacked Aaron Rodgers when he tore his Achilles'. Oh, and it's on Monday Night Football again so I'll have all weekend to think and worry about this game.
I'll leave you with this so can embrace a bit of the stress and anxiety every Jets fan has going into next season:
SOURCE - Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said Rodgers is "a little bit older, so he has lost a little bit of the speed he used to have." At the same time, he praised the star quarterback for his conditioning and the determination he showed during his Achilles recovery.
"I give so much credit to Aaron, the things that he has put himself through to be able to get back to where he is at right now," Hackett said.
We don't need the 2021 version of Aaron Rodgers. We'll take 85% of that guy. We just need Aaron Rodgers. Please don't break him Robert Saleh.
