Following the Jets' 23-20 loss to the Bills, Jets QB Aaron Rodgers wasn't much for talking as he navigated from MetLife Stadium to his home. But Davante Adams had made multiple attempts to contact his former QB, so Rodgers returned the favor and was delighted to find out that a Jets-Raiders trade was imminent and will reunite the formidable twosome with New York.
'Obviously, really excited. Love 'Tae, he's a phenomenal player and dear friend," Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on the "The Pat McAfee Show". "It was a crappy day yesterday obviously. We had a real good chance to get to 3-3 and win a home game -- kind of gave that one away. Was pissed driving home through traffic, had a couple of messages. I was just not in the mood to talk to anybody. Got home and 'Tae had called me and texted me, so I finally called him back. And so about 12:30, 12:45 last night, I heard the news."
That news became official Tuesday afternoon when the Jets confirmed they were sending a 2025 conditional third-round pick to the Raiders for Adams. Making a brief cameo on the McAfee Sshow, Adams, who has 18 receptions in three games this season, said his hamstring felt good and he'll soon be ready to roll. He also expressed confidence that he'll be able to quickly pick up the Jets' offense that is led by Todd Downing.
"I'm sure there are a few new little nuances, but for the most part a lot of the same verbiage," Adams said. "Still the same OG right here, so we should be able to pick up where we left off. That's the idea."
In eights seasons with the Packers from 2014-21, Rodgers and Adams combined for 669 receptions, 8,121 yards and 73 touchdowns.
"He infuses a lot of energy into the team right away," Rodgers said. "He is a proven star player, he's an asset, he's an incredible locker room presence. I think it's really going to help Garrett [Wilson] out. I think when you're able to be around a guy who's done it at a high level for a long time and see how he goes about his processes. Through osmosis, there is going to be a lot of things he can pick up. I think Garrett the last two weeks has played really good. I think last night was his best game. If you look at the stats, we had two 100-yard receivers, we had a 100-yard back. We played better on offense in certain spots. We just were terrible in the red zone and missed some easy opportunities."
In their narrow defeat, the Jets finished 1 of 4 in the red zone while the Bills went 3 of 4 inside the 20. Through five games, Wilson is leading the offense in receptions (41) and receiving yards (399) and he's scored 3 TDs. Allen Lazard leads the team with 5 TDs and he's averaged 13.6 yards on his 26 catches.
"Garrett was facing doubles on normal down and distance so often," Rodgers said. "Now you're going to have to choose if you have star coverage, who is that guy going to go with? And then what are you going to do on the other side? Are they just going to cloud both sides and now you have a light box? Now we proved last night we can run the football a little bit more effectively than the first five weeks, so it's definitely adding a lot to our team."
Totaling 393 yards against the Bills, the Jets recorded 8 plays of 20-plus yards as the offense showed explosive ability. But it will need to quickly turn the page with a trip to Pittsburgh and a Sunday night contest with the Steelers.
"I have gotten to grow up and meet a lot those legends that have played in Pittsburgh and it is a special, special place," Rodgers said. "You think about the cornerstones of the NFL, and obviously a Green Bay and Chicago and how far they go back. But you can't write the history of the NFL without the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a great fan base and homefield advantage. They have one of my favorite coaches and people in the league in Mike Tomlin and they play that 'Renegade' in the fourth quarter, and you know what is coming. It is loud and it is a tough place to play."
During their 4-2 start, the Steelers rank No. 2 in points allowed (14.3 pts/g), No. 8 in total defense (294.2 yds/g) and No. 4 against the run (85.5 yds/g).
"They are playing pretty well and obviously T.J. [Watt] is a game-wrecker," Rodgers said. "What he did last week punching the ball out twice, you don't see that. You see it from guys like Fred Warner, that guy is incredible, but a D-lineman who can lead the league in sacks and be in the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year conversation when he is healthy, and knocks the ball out twice? That is just not normal. He is in a league by himself."
In a bit of an early-season hole, Rodgers believes the Jets, bolstered by the Adams acquisition, can start turning the tide under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
"The way Brick [interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich] handled everything with class and good leadership and now this move lets everyone know it's on us now because we're going all in," Rodgers said. "And it's our time to go out there and win games and get on a run, which we all feel deep down is going to happen."
