Aaron Rodgers was warned. In April, the New York Jets quarterback was informed by coach Robert Saleh to anticipate a “powerful” coaching camp.
With only some days remaining, Rodgers known as this one of the taxing camps he has skilled in a few years — and he type of likes it.
“I’d say the camp is far tougher this 12 months and perhaps the toughest within the final seven or eight of my profession,” Rodgers informed reporters Tuesday after observe.
By Saleh’s depend, the Jets have taken 300 extra observe reps than they’d at this level final 12 months, 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.
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Saleh, beneath stress to win after an 18-33 file in his first three seasons, has preached a businesslike strategy this summer time, 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 closing 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 day-after-day. His arm remains to be 30. … He is nonetheless bought loads of mobility. I feel he is completely prepared.”
As Rodgers famous, there are “loads of totally different colleges of thought” on how arduous to work a workforce in coaching camp. The four-time MVP, for one, mentioned he likes the best way Saleh is attacking the season.
“A number 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 imagine 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 imagine the alternative. You know the way it goes: No matter groups are having success, individuals type of have a look at their schedule and go, ‘Let’s try this.'”
Paradoxically, given all that, Rodgers bought the break day Tuesday — a veteran’s relaxation day, Saleh known as it. He expects a heavy workload Wednesday after they host the New York Giants for a joint observe, so Saleh used Tuesday as a light-weight day for his starters. Center linebacker C.J. Mosley additionally rested.
The Jets (2-0) shut the preseason Saturday night time towards the Giants, then open the season on the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night time Soccer.” Rodgers did not play within the first two preseason video games, and it does not sound as if he’ll play towards the Giants. Saleh hasn’t revealed his plans, though he hinted early in camp that his “intuition” is to take a seat Rodgers.
Rodgers mentioned he has no choice. The additional work in camp, he mentioned, has ready him for the season, though he acknowledged that he nonetheless hasn’t taken successful.
“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 increasing 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 workforce and the Jets had been putting in a brand new offense. A 12 months later, he feels much less urgency to have a closing costume rehearsal.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett mentioned Rodgers is “a bit of bit older, so he has misplaced a bit of 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 to have the ability to get again to the place he’s at proper now,” Hackett mentioned.
