Explore More
Aaron Rodgers’ time with the Jets hit its first little speed bump on Tuesday.
During the team’s second OTA practice of the spring, Rodgers felt a pain in his calf during the team’s warm-up period and decided to sit out the rest of the practice.
“I just tweaked my calf in the little pre-practice conditioning,” Rodgers said. “I decided to take a vet[eran rest] day.”
Rodgers watched the entire practice and was not in the training room, an indication that the injury is nothing to worry about. When he met with the media a few hours later, he was not wearing a sleeve on the calf.
“I don’t think it’s too serious,” Rodgers said.
The minor injury was the first blip since Rodgers was traded by the Packers on April 24.
“It’s been like a dream month so far,” Rodgers said.
It’s been a dream for the Jets, too. Excitement around the team is at levels it has not been in years. Ticket sales and expectations are up and Rodgers’ teammates are thrilled to have him around.
“When I saw him, I was like, ‘Dang, that’s really A.R. He’s really a Jet,’ ” cornerback D.J. Reed said. “It was kind of surreal. It’s a crazy feeling, knowing we’re going to have a Hall of Fame quarterback playing for us this year. It’s pretty dope.”
The 39-year-old Rodgers has embraced his new team. He has been an active participant in the voluntary spring offseason program, which he stayed away from the last few years in Green Bay. Rodgers said he knew he wanted to be here for the spring program to work with his new teammates.
“When you’ve been in the offense for a long time, the offseason is really for the young players,” Rodgers said. “But with a new offense, being my first year here, I wanted to be around for at least some of the beginning things, just to let them know how I like to do things, some of the code words, little adjustments, different ways I see the game, sparking conversation.”
Teammates and coach Robert Saleh described Rodgers as an active voice in team meetings, going over adjustments to the playbook. Rodgers said meetings should be free-flowing conversations and not just coaches dictating from the front of the room.
“He’s opening up the playbook,” tight end C.J. Uzomah said. “It’s not necessarily you’re running to a spot and things of that nature. It’s, ‘Hey if I have this drop, you can do this. I’ll find you in this window. You don’t have to do X, Y, Z.’ Meetings are where we feel his presence the most. It’s not just someone talking to you. It’s we’re going to stop for a second and talk about this so we’re all on the same page. It’s been awesome.”
Uzomah said the offense did not have a good practice on Monday. Rodgers gathered them before Tuesday’s practice and told them to get their act together and it locked everyone in.
“He’s an expert out there,” Uzomah said. “He’s the GOAT. It is nice to have that presence for sure.”
Rodgers said he is adjusting to his new surroundings. He is still living in a hotel near the Jets’ training center.
Rodgers said all he knew about New Jersey before the trade was Teterboro Airport and the TV show “Jersey Shore.” Rodgers said he has been assured the show “is not a proper representation of this great state.” He said he is enjoying his new surroundings.
“Every day I wake up excited about coming to the facility,” Rodgers said. “Now the commute being two minutes really helps. Just rolling out of bed and heading to the facility is nice.
“I have an excitement about coming down Jets Drive. It was surreal, for sure, and strange to look at my locker and see No. 8. Rocking Jets gear is a little bit strange, for sure, but every day there’s been a little special sign or synchronicity or cool moment that reminds me I’m in the right place.”
ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7j25ma2tflq6zu81mqaicl5q%2FtHnDopunrF2csrV506GpqK2XnXquwcKhZKieXam1qr%2BMo5ytq12lv6Kv06Kanmc%3D