To say the Aaron Rodgers era, however brief, with the New York Jets has not gone according to plan so far would be quite the understatement. After a season-ending injury in his first game with the team, Rodgers is now taking part in training camp, which has sparked a few seemingly odd moments, including a miscommunication between Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh.
While Rodgers has appeared healthy during training camp this week, Saleh said that Rodgers, who tore his Achilles tendon on the first drive of the 2023 season, would likely not play in any of the Jets' three preseason games.
“My instinct is no, but I want to leave it open,” Saleh said when asked if Rodgers would play before the regular-season opener on Sept. 9 at the San Francisco 49ers. “That third [preseason] game is the one where we’re deciding.”
“He definitely won’t play in the first two,” Saleh also said. “The discussion on the third one we just haven’t quite had yet.”
Instead, Saleh seemed content with Rodgers using joint practices against their preseason opponents to get “game-like” reps without getting tackled.
On the surface, that plan seems reasonable. The problem is that Rodgers claims that he wasn't told of that plan.
“News to me,” Rodgers told the media when asked about Saleh's comments.
Rodgers said he has “no restrictions” stemming from his Week 1 injury and that he has been rolling out of the pocket and running the ball during practice.
Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson say arguments are no big deal
While Aaron Rodgers and Robert Saleh seemingly need to have a one-on-one conversation, Rodgers appears to have had quite a few conversations with Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson during training camp. One “heated” moment was caught on camera, which led to some people to speculate that there was a rift between the two players.
Rodgers said that is not the case.
“I think there’s often appearance versus reality in life and on the football field,” Rodgers said earlier this week. “And what it appears to be might not always be what the reality actually is. As far as whether or not we’re upset with each other, we’re just passionately talking about the details of a situation that might not have to do with either of us. G and I got a great relationship. We spend time together off the field. On the field, there’s a way of doing things that we both agree on.”
Wilson also said the arguments weren't much of a story other than the pair trying to improve.
“I’m a different guy out on the field than whenever you all see me after the game or wherever that may be,” Wilson said. “And Aaron’s kind of the same way. We’re both like-minded and we’re trying to figure out a way to attack our defense.
“Whenever we’re out there having those conversations and getting the way we are, we’re getting better,” Wilson continued. “We’re gaining an understanding for each other and the way we go about things, the way we think and interpret the game. It’s truly enlightening for me every time we have convos like that, despite how it may look.”
The Jets are set to play their first preseason game on Aug. 10 vs. the Washington Commanders.
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