Phase three of the offseason has officially begun across the league and the New York Jets began OTAs on Monday. This signals another step closer to Training Camp and the highly anticipated regular season. At One Jets Drive on Tuesday afternoon, the Jets held their first open media practice where fans got updates on the team and a few coaches and players spoke to the media.
Today, let’s look at the latest news and headlines surrounding the Jets two days into organized team activities.
New York Jets OTAs Update
The Pressure Is On
The New York Jets enter the 2024 campaign with high expectations and a lot of pressure. After a second consecutive seven-win season New York decided to go all-in in 2024 with the hope that Aaron Rodgers will be healthy. On Tuesday afternoon, Rodgers made it abundantly clear that he understands what happens this year will dictate the future of this franchise. “If I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably going to be out of here,” Rodgers said. He also went on to say how he likes the pressure that is being put on himself and the team.
Not that Jets fans don’t already know this but Rodgers is 100% correct, the excuses for the organization have run out, and the time is now. Head coach Robert Saleh has an 18-33 record in three seasons, general manager Joe Douglas has a 27-56 record in five seasons and the franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2010 season which is 13 years ago. Winning with this regime can’t wait any longer.
Having a healthy Rodgers playing alongside the weapons put into place and adding the defense to the mix there is no reason New York shouldn’t compete for the Lombardi Trophy in 2024. Anything less than that will have this organization staring into the abyss. If not now, when?
Rodgers Impresses
On top of Rodgers’ quotes on Tuesday afternoon, the media got their first in-person look at Rodgers since his torn Achilles suffered four snaps into 2023. While it is only OTAs and these practices should be taken with a grain of salt, the early returns on Rodgers are positive. So far Rodgers is proving the doubters wrong with his performances this Spring.
On Tuesday, Rodgers completed 5 of 5 passes during 7-on-7 drills and 8 of 10 passes during 11-on-11 drills with three touchdowns. That totals out to 13 of 15 passes completed and three touchdowns thrown. Rodgers was able to find second-year wideout Xavier Gipson for a touchdown along with Allen Lazard and start wideout Garrett Wilson. Despite it only being OTAs seeing Rodgers build up the chemistry with these receivers that he had last summer and doing it while looking healthy is a huge positive to takeaway in May.
Saleh Taking On Bigger Role
Robert Saleh has taken a lot of heat over his three seasons at the helm in New York and a lot of it has been warranted. When Saleh was hired in 2021, Jets fans and the organization thought they were getting a CEO-type coach who oversees everything with accountability and adjustments present. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, but in a must-win year in 2024, Saleh may be taking over that CEO role after all.
On Tuesday, Rodgers mentioned that Saleh has been more involved with the offense so far this offseason. The reason for this most likely stems from the search to replace Nathaniel Hackett during the offseason which ended with no replacement. Saleh being a defensive mind never paid much mind to the offensive side of the football through his first three seasons even when the going got tough. However, 2024 seems to be shaping out differently as in-game adjustments on offense and accountability will go a long way in New York having success. That starts with the coach.
Sauce Believes
Another member of the organization that was heard at the podium on Tuesday afternoon was star cornerback Sauce Gardner who made it very clear what he feels Gang Green can accomplish. “I feel like we can win a Super Bowl. We’ve got everything it takes,” Gardner said on Tuesday. The road won’t be easy but if healthy this Jets team can compete with anyone, especially on defense. Gardner along with C.J. Mosley, Quinnen Williams, Jermaine Johnson, Haason Reddick, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II should put the defense in a position to be one of the best units in the league once again.
Another big takeaway from Tuesday’s practice is the growing belief that Gardner will travel with the opposing team’s number-one receiver which he hasn’t done through his first two seasons. Head coach Robert Saleh said Gardner will travel but doesn’t expect it to be every game. Either way, Gardner has already proven himself as one of the elite corners in football, when he starts traveling he will only boost his resume.
