With the Jets welcoming fans for the first time in training camp, Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson connected for a 60-yard, long-distance completion on the first play of team drills. The defense paid respect to Rodgers' play-action fake to Breece Hall as Wilson perfected a double-move down the sideline before hauling in a pass that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

"It was good," HC Robert Saleh said. "It was a double move obviously and everyone anxious, a little over-aggressive on defense. But Aaron did what he does."

Rodgers closed the first team period with a sideline strike to Allen Lazard. Later in 7-on-7 work, Rodgers buzzed a spiral by LB C.J. Mosley into the waiting hands of TE Jeremy Ruckert. The four-time NFL MVP's most impressive pass was a gorgeous sky ball on the money to Wilson in 7-on-7, but CB D.J. Reed interfered with Wilson to prevent a completion. And for a second consecutive day, Rodgers and Lazard ended the non-padded practice with a TD. Lazard, who hauled in 100 passes and totaled 14 TDs in Green Bay from 2021-22, is off to a strong summer start after being limited to 23 receptions last season.

"It was kind of almost like [Wednesday]," Lazard said of the closing score. "I was definitely like the last read of the progression and I just felt the void in the zone and Aaron was scrambling out towards me. Obviously, he just put a good ball out there for me to go and make a play."

The return of Rodgers combined with a second year in Nathaniel Hackett's system has led to positive vibes for a unit that has significantly improved its personnel up front, will add Mike Williams to the mix and has a healthy Hall from the get-go.

"I think everyone is just a little bit more calm, a little bit more relaxed and just comfortable with the system, the players and stuff," Lazard said. "And ultimately just playing with Aaron, he demands a higher focus, a higher intensity in practice and games especially. And obviously missing him last year for the season, we kind of lost that and didn't really get a chance to establish that. Having him back and spring, here in training camp and everything, having him healthy is just great for everyone to develop that comfortability with each other."

Cadence System
While the Jets have practiced early without officials, offensive players have subbed out following any pre-snap infractions. That happened a few times Thursday as newcomers including LG John Simpson (2 false starts) and LT Tyron Smith (1 false start) continue to adjust to Aaron Rodgers' legendary cadence.

"The cadence system is fascinating, and it is more complex," HC Robert Saleh said. "But the more they hear it, just like in walk-through, we're pushing it in walk-through also to make sure those guys are hearing it, they're understanding it. So throughout this entire training camp, we'll get a hold of it."

Simpson, who signed with the Green & White in the offseason, wants to become more consistent with his get-off.

"Some ups and downs," Simpson said. "He's the best in the league at his cadence and that's just something I have to get used to. The train don't stop, so I just have to get on board with that."

Jetcetera
After placing rookie QB Jordan Travis on the NFI list, the Jets announced the signing of Ben Bryant. "Everyone's rehab is a little bit different," Robert Saleh said of Travis, who continues to rehab the leg injury he sustained last November at Florida State. "He's doing a great job, he's working his tail off. We just want to make sure we give him the time that he needs to recover. This was always going to be a long-term project. He's in every meeting, he's at all the walk-throughs. So he's losing the live reps obviously, but he's in good spirits." The right side of the Jets O-line was Wes Schweitzer and Max Mitchell for a second consecutive day. HC Robert Saleh said Alijah Vera-Tucker (Achilles) and Morgan Moses (pec) are close to a return. "They're doing all the walk-throughs together and they're going through the communication, just those types of reps. But soon enough, they'll be out in live reps." …. DT Leki Fotu and DT Solomon Thomas each recorded a backfield stop of rookie RB Isaiah Davis. … WR Xavier Gipson gingerly walked off the field near the close of practice, but Saleh did not have an update on the second-year receiver. … QB Austin Peasley delivered a sideline pass in a tight window to WR Lance McCutcheon with CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse closing in. … QB Tyrod Taylor fired a nice back-shoulder pass to WR Malik Taylor with CB Brandin Echols in coverage. … RB Israel Abanikanda found daylight up the middle for a big gain in team period. … Sauce Gardner broke up a short Aaron Rodgers pass intended for Garrett Wilson. … A day after recording his first camp interception, rookie CB Qwan'tez Stiggers nearly came up with another theft (he had one on Wednesday) but was unable to get both feet inbounds. … LB Sam Eguavoen broke up a pass intended for TE Lincoln Sefcik.