The Jets are nearing the close of their 2024 training camp with a Wednesday visit from the Giants ahead of Saturday's preseason finale. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who entered the NFL in 2005, believes this summer's workload has provided him more strain than any camp in recent memory.
"I would say the camp is much harder this year and maybe the hardest in the last seven or eight in my career," he said Tuesday. "I had a little insight coming into camp that's what Robert [Saleh] wanted to do, so I think it's been good for us."
Rodgers, who has been held out of both preseason games in addition to the Jets-Commanders joint practice, discussed how an increased practice workload can help once the regular season commences, against the 49ers on Monday night Sept. 9 in Santa Clara, CA.
"I give Robert a lot of credit because he – from the start of training camp – said this is going to be a tough training camp and I think it's been a lot of reps for the ones," Rodgers said. "He told me the other day we were somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 more reps I think at this point of camp than last year, and it feels like it. But it's good, I think it's going to allow us to maybe be a little bit more ready."
Rodgers played in last year's preseason finale against the Giants, leading two series and capping his night with a 14-yard scoring pass to Garrett Wilson. Head coach Robert Saleh hasn't said if Rodgers, who is returning from an Achilles tendon tear he sustained in last year's season-opener, will play Saturday night against New York's NFC representative.
"I don't really have a preference," Rodgers said. "I feel good about where I'm at with my body and what I've kind of put together. I feel like I've done different things throughout camp as far as rollouts, rolling out and pulling up, getting out of the pocket and making plays, throwing back across my body, pump-faking and actually extending plays and getting some yards. I feel like I've done a lot. I haven't taken a hit – that's kind of the main thing thankfully. I respect and appreciate my defense for that."
Last Thursday in Carolina, Rodgers and the first-team offense moved the ball well against the Panthers defense, but also mixed in a few turnovers.
"I felt real good about it," he said." I think you need to have some practices where there are some mistakes that can happen, so you coach 'em up. It's a coach's dream that type of practice because you have a lot of things to go back to. I call them anchor points, like you have these plays where we were a little bit off whether it's execution or adjustment or the correct the response in the moment."
The Jets' defense got the better of the play Monday and that was followed by a rest day for the starters Tuesday afternoon.
"We're getting stressed this camp in a way that us old guys we haven't been stressed in a while and I think it's good for us," Rodgers said. "We need to see how we're going to respond in unscripted periods where the entire playbook is up. A good chance to see who can handle what, how much we can give certain guys and then what the emphasis needs to be moving forward. So, I think those are the most valuable practices for us."
The Jets improved offensive line will face a Giants front in practice that features edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux along with NT Dexter Lawrence. In addition to praising the Giants' front, Rodgers also discussed watching rookie sensation Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft, tussle with Sauce Gardner & Co.
"I'm excited to see Malik, see what he's all about, be a good opportunity for him going against some premier corners," Rodgers said. " Any time you get teams together, it's always interesting. You see how things shake out as far as personalities and pushing and shoving and there's a fear of somebody throwing a punch and having to play in the game. Hopefully it's a clean practice, but you never know."
