Aaron Rodgers got a warning. In April, the New York Jets quarterback was told by coach Robert Saleh to expect a “tough” training camp.
With only a few days left in camp, Rogers says this is one of the toughest camps he’s been through in years. He seems to be enjoying it quite a bit.
“This year’s camp is a lot harder, probably the hardest I’ve had in the last seven or eight years of my career,” Rogers told reporters after practice Tuesday.
By Saleh’s calculations, the Jets have practiced 300 more times than they did at this point last year, Rodgers said. That’s notable because it shows the organization isn’t concerned about Rodgers’ age (he turns 41 in December) or his recovery from Achilles tendon surgery on Sept. 13 of last year.
Saleh, who is under pressure to win after going 18-33 in his first three seasons, has preached a businesslike approach this summer, players say. The Jets are in the NFL’s longest playoff drought (13 years), and there is a “now or never” vibe around the franchise.
On Wednesday, Saleh declared Rodgers ready for the regular season, suggesting he will not start the quarterback in the final preseason game.
“When he first came in, it felt like he was where we needed him to be,” Saleh said. “His arm is 30. You see him every day. His arm is still 30. … He still has the strength to move. I think he’s absolutely ready.”
As Rodgers noted, there are “different schools of thought” on how hard to work a team in training camp. For example, the four-time MVP said he likes how Saleh is attacking the season.
“Some of the older guys enjoy the ‘callus’ part of training camp, the grind, to use a coaching term,” Rodgers said. “Some guys put on more pressure in training camp, but I actually believe they’re better prepared to play when the season starts.
“And some people believe the opposite. You know, no matter what team is having success, people look at the schedule and say, ‘Let’s do that.'”
Ironically, given all this, Rodgers had a day off on Tuesday. Saleh called it a veteran’s day off. He’s expected to have a heavy workload when he practices with the New York Giants on Wednesday, so Saleh used Tuesday as an easy day for the starters. Middle linebacker CJ Mosley also got a day off.
The Jets (2-0) close out the preseason Saturday night at the Giants, then open the season at the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football.” Rodgers hasn’t played in the first two preseason games and likely won’t play against the Giants. Saleh didn’t reveal his plans, but hinted early in camp that he was “instinctively” sitting Rodgers.
Rogers said he had no preference. He said the extra work in camp had prepared him for the season, but admitted it hadn’t taken its toll yet.
“I feel good about my body and what I’ve put together,” he said. “I think I’ve done a lot of different things throughout camp, like rolling out, rolling out and pulling up, getting out of the pocket and making plays, getting back to my full body, pump fakes and extending plays and gaining yards. I think I’ve done a lot.”
Rodgers played two series in the 2023 preseason finale, when he was new to the team and the Jets were building a new offense. A year later, he feels less urgency about having to do a final dress rehearsal.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said Rodgers is “a little bit older and has lost some of his speed,” but he praised the star quarterback’s conditioning and determination during his Achilles tendon recovery.
“I have a lot of respect for Aaron and I appreciate what he’s put himself through to get to where he is today,” Hackett said.
