C.J. Mosley hasn’t but incurred the wrath of Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets linebacker, in his fifth season with the workforce and one of many elder statesmen within the locker room, isn’t one of many gamers who Rodgers has vociferously corrected or cajoled through the warmth of the primary few days of coaching camp.
However Mosley, who captains the opposite facet of the ball from Rodgers, loves the look of the 40-year-old Corridor of Fame-bound quarterback getting after his teammates in an effort to set a normal that hasn’t been seen round these components in an extended, very long time.
Perhaps ever.
Rodgers not solely is essentially the most intriguing participant within the NFL in the intervening time, he’s a participant who’s accomplished all the things within the recreation and but carries with him fascinating questions on what he has left at this age after an Achilles’ damage wrecked his first season in Jets inexperienced.
He, too, is the highest-paid assistant coach in NFL historical past.
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“He’s a legit player-coach. That’s precisely what he’s,” Mosley advised The Publish after observe Wednesday. “He’s taking part in the sport, however he’s additionally placing individuals in the proper positions and making checks. And if somebody — whether or not it’s the guard, heart or receiver — in the event that they mess up, they’re going to listen to it.”
Earlier this week, throughout some inconsistent and uneven parts of observe, a few of Rodgers’ offensive teammates have been listening to it.
Rodgers, within the two days of full-padded practices earlier than Wednesday, at instances regarded like an agitated trainer whose class wasn’t paying consideration, breaking into some animated conversations with gamers in an effort to get issues proper.
“It’s simply a normal that he began and the offense has to uphold,” Mosley mentioned, with a tint of admiration in his voice.
“He’s a coach on the sphere,” head coach Robert Saleh mentioned Wednesday.
On condition that the offensive teaching wasn’t what you’ll name a energy of the 2023 Jets, Rodgers because the de facto offensive coordinator isn’t a nasty factor for Saleh. It’s a rattling good factor.
Rodgers isn’t solely an important participant on the workforce, he’s its most necessary assistant coach.
The great thing about that is that Rodgers embraces the twin function.
“There’s a normal that we’d prefer to set, and there’s an accountability that goes with that in observe, and that normal may be very, very excessive,” Rodgers mentioned. “I prefer to push guys to imagine in themselves perhaps greater than they do on the time. You’re looking for a strategy to push guys to see their potential, to imagine in themselves, to convey them alongside.
“It’s the identical normal I maintain myself to on the observe discipline — of excellence, of element, of preparation.”
Rodgers known as himself “somewhat extra tempered than I used to be after I was a youthful participant. … The fuse is somewhat bit longer.”
Then, with the next phrases, Rodgers sounded so coach-like you’d have thought he was channeling his internal Invoice Parcells, one of many nice coaches of all time, with the best way he so masterfully understood tips on how to push gamers’ buttons.
“You possibly can’t coach everybody the identical approach,” Rodgers mentioned. “Sure guys, you will get on them. Sure guys you’ve bought to tug apart and discuss to. Sure guys need to have it out on the sphere. Some guys will pull you apart within the locker room. It simply relies on the blokes.
“You’ve bought to set a normal and maintain guys accountable to that normal at observe and the best way you need to see issues run. Typically you’ve bought to infuse somewhat little bit of power.”
Participant-coach Rodgers does all of the above.
Among the many two key offensive gamers he had “conversations’’ with within the midst of some spotty practices earlier this week have been receiver Garrett Wilson and heart Joe Tippmann, who’s been plagued with a case of the snapping yips this summer time.
Each one of many Jets gamers ought to need to elevate themselves to Rodgers’ normal, as a result of they need to go the place he’s been and needs to go once more: the Tremendous Bowl.
“He’s been there, he’s accomplished it, he’s gained a Tremendous Bowl, he’s been the MVP of the league,” Mosley mentioned. “He’s discovered methods to win when the clock says ‘zero.’ He’s discovered a approach.
“What he calls for from his offense and his teammates you must respect. He’s an awesome chief. He may need a special model with the best way he leads. Individuals may not like how he leads off the sphere when he’s not within the constructing, however when he’s round us within the constructing he’s all the time sharing info, making us higher.
“He doesn’t stroll round like he’s that man. He walks round like somebody who desires to be part of the workforce and earn all people’s belief and assist win us a championship.’’
And on the finish of the day, what extra can this title-starved franchise can ask for?
