NEW YORK — On the latest episode of “Hard Knocks,” Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was frustrated with the team’s offense after more mistakes during practice.
“F—— mistakes on one f—— drive,” Rodgers said. “Basic 12 to 14 yards [routes]. F—— mistakes on one goddamn drive. Unbelievable. F—— dropped three f—— balls.”
An angry quarterback during a training camp practice normally wouldn’t be cause for concern. However, Rodgers told reporters earlier this summer that he would be patient as the Jets players continue to learn Nathaniel Hackett’s offense. The circumstances are different than when Rodgers was with the Packers, as this is also Hackett’s first season with the Jets.
When speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rodgers stated he will continue to be patient even as the season opener draws near.
“With certain guys, we are going to up the urgency,” Rodgers said. “You can’t coach or treat each player the same way, different ones respond differently. I’ve been hugging Mekhi [Becton] every single day and that’s the way he responds best.
“Mecole [Hardman], I can be direct because he wants to do the right things every single time. Garrett [Wilson], there’s a lot of real high-level conversations. Cobby [Randall Cobb] and Allen [Lazard] have known me forever, so it’s so much unspoken understanding between us.
“There is patience with the right guys and a little more urgency with the other guys who respond better with a little bit of a push. I thought there was a couple of days of camp where we were off and I take a lot of responsibility for that because I have to bring enthusiasm and energy every single day. We are all professionals, too and sometimes you have to jump a guy’s ass and get on people.”
During the preseason, the Jets offense had plenty of ups and downs in practice. Some of the more noteworthy days of practice, the joint sessions with the Panthers and Bucs, the Jets offense was out of sync. Gang Green is hoping that now that the team’s significant injuries are behind them, they can show their full offensive potential.
During the joint practices, the Jets didn’t have Duane Brown at left tackle with Max Mitchell and Billy Turner platooning at both left and right tackle. Brown was on the physically unable to perform list as he waited to be cleared from his offseason shoulder surgery. Brown was just given the green light from doctors to practice last week.
Guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker also missed time during training camp due to injury. The Jets are also now incorporating running backs Dalvin Cook and Breece Hall into their offense.
Cook just started practicing this week as he signed with the Jets on Aug. 15. Hall was also on the PUP list as the team eased him back from an ACL tear he suffered last October.
During his four months with the Jets, Rodgers has intentionally gotten to know his teammates to find out how to keep them driven and motivated. He will sit with different teammates in the Jets’ cafeteria and log mental notes on his phone to remember details about players on the team.
Rodgers says he began doing this when he was backed up Brett Favre with the Packers as he believes getting to understand people opens the door to figuring out how to push their buttons.
“Aaron has such a high standard of himself because of his ability and what he can do with his game,” Lazard said. “He’s not going to lower that standard just because other guys on the field are with him. He’s going to hold those guys to the same standard, the same expectations whenever he’s on the field.
“He’s going to approach it the same way and if you mess up, you mess up and he’s going to let you have it. With the way the world is kind of going, people are getting a little bit more softer and a little bit more sensitive. I think that hard, confrontational discipline is all that you need.
“I know it was for me when he was cussing me out or giving me a dirty look after I messed up. That’s what motivated me not to do that again because I don’t want to disappoint him, or I don’t want to disappoint my teammates. I think it’s just a great reminder to be on your s—.”
Rodgers and the Jets are a little more than a week away from their season opener against the Bills, who have won the AFC East three years in a row. Obviously, this year’s season opener will feel a bit different for Rodgers, as he spent 18 years in Green Bay.
However, the reception could be very similar to what it was like during Rodgers first action in a Jets uniform. Against the Giants last week, fans gave Rodgers a standing ovation despite it being technically a Giants home game at MetLife Stadium.
The Jets, who have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, haven’t faced expectations this high since playing in back-to-back AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010.
It’s been an eternity since the Jets won the Super Bowl after the 1968 season. They’ve been the media darling during the offseason and preseason.
Rodgers believes they have a legit chance to win the Super Bowl in 2023.
“Obviously, there are a lot of expectations,” Rodgers said. “A lot of people are going to be pulling for us to fall flat. A lot of people are in our corner, too, which is a good thing.”