There may not be a more compelling storyline in the entire NFL this year than Aaron Rodgers’ return from a torn Achilles.
The New York Jets have fielded an eyesore of an offense for many years. In fact, the best stretch they probably had came courtesy of Rodgers’ predecessor in Green Bay, Brett Favre, who tore it up in 2008 amid an 8-3 start before a torn biceps derailed that run.
Rodgers only got four plays last season before going down with his devastating injury. Despite some controversy this offseason for missing mandatory minicamp in favor of a trip to Egypt, it seems like Rodgers isn’t missing a beat as Jets training camp opens. Beat reporters on the scene are rightly documenting Rodgers’ every move, and he’s more than delivering so far.
ladies & gentlemen… @AaronRodgers12 👏 pic.twitter.com/1zyB9mMYRl
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 25, 2024
Sort of a Favreian move to spin his helmet like that, only it’s usually with a football. But I guess that was a tell of how dialed in Rodgers would be on this day of eternal optimism for Gang Green Nation. Just look at this absolute dot to superstar wide receiver Garrett Wilson that sent Jets fans into a frenzy:
A healthy Aaron Rodgers with Garrett Wilson is good for football. 🎯
(🎥@TalkJetsRadio)pic.twitter.com/WtPaIBX8U5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 25, 2024
When the main Jets writer for The Athletic is putting out observations such as these, it must be so cathartic for long-suffering supporters of this historically hapless franchise.
Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a bad throw today. He’s dealing.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) July 25, 2024
Even at 40 years old, Rodgers as a pure thrower is just about as good as it gets around the NFL. That was on full display on Monday.
Aaron Rodgers & #Jets offense just worked a third-down drill. Needed 3, 5, then 10 for first downs.
– First down pass to Hall
– First down, needle-threading pass to Conklin (will have huge season with Rodgers)
– First down Garrett Wilson— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) July 25, 2024
Even better? On that bomb to Wilson — not dissimilar to the ridiculous dime Patrick Mahomes recently threw to Xavier Worthy — Jets play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen called it like it was Week 1 for real.
Aaron Rodgers throws a touchdown to Garrett Wilson with @espnbob on the call! #Jets
(via @GatorMcKlusky22) pic.twitter.com/j3v21F46v6
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) July 25, 2024
So what if Wilson didn’t quite make it to the end zone? If they were truly full-go, I’m confident he would’ve made those dudes miss and get it to the house. Rodgers delivered another perfect downfield ball to Wilson, who got held by DJ Reed to prevent yet another explosive play.
Pass interference from DJ Reed here, but WHAT A THROW from Aaron Rodgers & WHAT AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE CATCH from Garrett Wilson 👀
This is gonna be one of the best QB-WR duos in the NFL this season 🔥✈#Jets | 🎥 @TalkJetsRadio pic.twitter.com/aImcxA2QPt
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) July 25, 2024
As someone who hammered Wilson’s season-long over receiving yards in 2023 only to watch helplessly as Tim Boyle and Zach Wilson tried getting him the rock — he still put up 95 receptions for 1,042 yards — it’s so exciting to see a competent QB deliver to him.
Aaron Rodgers ➡ Garrett Wilson 🎯#Jets | 🎥 @TalkJetsRadio pic.twitter.com/NZiU0iNhKQ
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) July 25, 2024
Check out a few more Rodgers dots, including a touchdown to Allen Lazard to end the day.
Garrett great catch from his knees pic.twitter.com/c4pydwihSW
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) July 25, 2024
Rodgers ➡️ Conklin pic.twitter.com/NG0HrEqflw
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) July 25, 2024
TD Lazard to end practice pic.twitter.com/7rVzC2qF8u
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) July 25, 2024
It may seem pedantic to document things like these, but we’re all dying for football, more eyes are on Rodgers and the Jets than anyone in the league right now. Good to see the offense rolling, especially with how good New York’s defense is. We’re almost there, y’all. Camps are open. We can do this.
