Jets coach Robert Saleh hypes up Aaron Rodgers after OTA practice: ‘He’s doing everything’
NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers put on a dazzling display Tuesday during the second day of Jets OTAs.
Rodgers not only warmed up with his teammates but he also participated in the drills. The impressive performance comes after he missed all but four snaps last season after tearing his Achilles in the Jets’ season-opening victory against the Bills.
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Eight months following Achilles surgery, Jets coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers, 40, is “doing everything.”
“For him to push the envelope and continue this rehab, he has no restrictions,” Saleh said. “He looks good, the arm talent is obviously still there. It is really just reacclimating to everything. We are trying a bunch of new stuff, too.”
During Tuesday’s practice, Rodgers completed 8-of-10 passes during 11-on-11 drills.
“He’s a true professional,” Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “He’s the leader of our team and it was fun to have him out there and throw the ball around to those guys and coach them up.”
Rodgers, who completed a short touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson through a tight window with linebacker C.J. Mosley in coverage, was also 5 of 5 during 7-on-7 drills.
“It is amazing, he has found some type of fountain of youth,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said about Rodgers. “This is the same guy that I saw the last four weeks of the season when he was practicing with the scout team.
“He has something figured out, whatever it is. He has the same velocity on the ball. I don’t see the lack of movement. He has got the same personality that pisses you off during the week, but you love him on Sundays.”
Rodgers attempted to come back late last season and practiced with his Jets teammates after his 21-day window to come off injured reserve was exercised last November. But after they were eliminated from playoff contention, Rodgers was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Expectations for the Jets are still high after they made several acquisitions during the offseason. Gang Green hopes it improved its offensive line after signing Tyron Smith and John Simpson. The Jets also acquired Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens and drafted Olu Fashanu 11th overall in last month’s draft.
In addition to the moves on the offensive line, the Jets also signed veteran wide receiver Mike Williams and drafted wide receiver Malachi Corley in the third round.
After the Jets acquired Rodgers a year ago, many pegged them as Super Bowl contenders. But following his Achilles injury, the Jets went 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year.
Gang Green has the longest playoff drought in the NFL (13 seasons). Despite not finishing above .500 since 2015, the NFL schedule makers awarded the Jets with seven national television games, including six in prime time.
“I think it is a little bit different,” Saleh said. “Last year, it was so much newness to it. A year ago, everyone was learning the system, everyone was learning and listening.
“This year, it is more back and forth, and they have more dialogue. It has actually been really good and beneficial for everybody. You can see it now, receivers are actually speaking to one another rather than asking questions to the coach or the quarterback. The continuity in Year 2 is opening up for more dialogue rather than just listening.”
