Although NFL teams primarily rely on their coaches to call the shots during training sessions, for the New York Jets, it’s no longer the case. Since the four-time NFL MVP winner Aaron Rodgers signed for the Jets things have moved differently in MetLife Stadium. Starting only his third season as a Pro, the Jets LB Jermaine Johnson was left awestruck after practicing with Rodgers during training camps.

Sharing his thoughts on how Rodgers is helping the Jets’ defense and his defending capabilities, Johnson stated, “He is just a field general that has been doing this as a long time at a really high clip. He is certainly the best we will go up against, and we go against him every day.” Even though it’s only the second year that Johnson’s been up against Rodgers in training, he’s already feeling the impact. When it comes to his regular season, Johnson was a force to be reckoned with. Getting opportunity as a full-time starter, Johnson racked up 747 defensive snaps while posting 7.5 sacks in just over 17 games. He went on to secure his first Pro Bowler status after multiple players dropped out.

But this is not the first time Rodgers has been called out for his field general role during practice. Going back to the first training camp in New Jersey, Jets WR Garrett Wilson had a similar instance with Aaron Rodgers. Sharing a moment where the 1o-time Pro Bowler stepped in like a coach after Wilson busted a play, Rodgers said, “Get it right. Know your details.” 

Receiver Allen Lazard, who has spent five seasons with Rodgers at the Packers, was also vocal about the Jets unlocking a new side to the veteran. “Not to say that he was hard to play with at first in Green Bay, but he was a little bit more like. You guys have got to pick up,” Lazard shared. Continuing, Lazard also said how Rodgers plays in a state of flow while coming down hard on players, whether they are rookies or veterans. But with a young crop of talents like Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Mecole Hardman, Zonovan Knight, Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah, the four-time MVP winner has a lot of work to do to get the Jets’ in shape before a d0-or-die season approaches.

Aaron Rodgers’s stance on NFL preseason

Coming back from an ACL injury that took away Aaron Rodgers’s first season playing for the Jets. He would be hoping for better results this time around after missing the preseason to keep his recovery on track. Although A-Rod hasn’t seen any action in preseason, he has since conveyed his views on the media. Speaking to the reporters, Rodgers stated, “Preseason is not what it used to be. I’m not worried about it. Preseason, it’s not real football.”

It seems like the 40-year-old doesn’t have any remorse for missing preseason while being almost recovered. Since he signed for the Jets, Rodgers has played for only one preseason game against the Giants back in 2023. In that match, the QB went 5-of-8 for 47 yards with one TD. Even this season, Jets HC Robert Saleh has stated that the veteran QB might not appear for any preseason games. As he continues his practice while facing the Jets’ defense during training camps.

Rodgers broke down his take on the preseason misses, expressing, “I don’t think I need to. As long as I’m making the right reactions in practice…that’s important.” Moreover, Saleh might also be pretty cautious with A-Rod’s involvement as he didn’t allow the veteran to play in a joint practice match against the Washington Commanders, citing rainy conditions.

Even after taking such precautions, can Aaron Rodgers come back strong while guiding the Jets to their first playoff appearance since 2010? Or will the pressure and post-ACL recovery be too much for the veteran to control? Only time will tell as the regular season is almost here.