Aaron Rodgers and Jets offense impress on Day 2 of training camp: 'They did some good things'

NEW YORK — On the first day of training camp, the Jets offense and Aaron Rodgers struggled, particularly inside the red zone.

That certainly was not the case on Thursday morning.

The practice began with a 30-plus-yard connection between Rodgers and Garrett Wilson, with cornerback D.J. Reed in coverage. The offense and Rodgers continued to click on all cylinders the rest of the day.

Here are the players who have stood out during the first few days of training camp:

Aaron Rodgers

In addition to his long pass to Wilson, Rodgers was sharp. He completed 9 of 12 passes during 11-on-11 drills, including a touchdown pass to Allen Lazard to end practice.

On Monday, Rodgers completed only two of his seven passes during red zone drills. What stood out about Rodgers on Day 2 of training camp was how his throws looked effortless inside the pocket. He also took chances down the field, getting the ball to his receivers when there were opportunities open.

“They did some good things,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said about the offense. “It was cool because they kind of went back and forth, but the offense was good today.”

Wilson could be the biggest beneficiary of Rodgers returning from a season-ending Achilles injury. Throughout the early stages of training camp, Rodgers has been looking Wilson’s way early and often. That continued on Thursday with Rodgers completing two passes to Wilson and throwing his way a third time before Reed broke up the pass play.

“I love going against Aaron in practice,” Jets safety Chuck Clark said. “It just gives me a different element to go against in practice.

“It’s like seeing he can make every through on the field, and as a safety back there in the middle, he is testing me in all types of ways. Making you play true to your technique and be honest to him.

“I love playing against him. Here it is, Year 8, and I’m learning new stuff, you know, I might not have learned. I’m not necessarily going over there asking him something, but just seeing how he plays and why he did that because I did something.”

Allen Lazard

Last season without Rodgers under center, Lazard finished with 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown after signing a four-year, $44 million contract. Lazard could be poised for a bounce-back 2024 if the first two days of training camp are any indication.

On Wednesday, Lazard made a tremendous catch in traffic and caught a touchdown pass from Rodgers. Lazard registered another touchdown catch and bought down another catch from Rodgers on Thursday.

It’s early, but the Lazard has been a security blanket for Rodgers much like he was when the two played five seasons together for the Packers.

“He’s not the first or the last free agent throughout the NFL who will struggle in the first year with a new team,” Saleh said about Lazard. “New atmosphere, new money, new environment, new system, new coaching, and new teammates.

“Sometimes guys get out of whack and then once all that calms down, they find a way to bounce back in their second year. I think he’s going to do that. He’s been locked in.

“He looks good. He’s been phenomenal with his teammates in the meeting rooms and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses throughout training camp.”

False starts are a problem

One area that should concern the Jets is the false start penalties. Jets guard John Simpson was called for two pre-snap penalties on Thursday, and left tackle Tyron Smith was also called for a false start.

Both Simpson and Smith were both replaced after committing penalties.

“You gotta take accountability for your actions,” Jets center Joe Tippmann said. “Just seeing when somebody jumps and they get taken off the field. I think that’s awesome.

“It is immediately getting up there and taking accountability. I think that’s something that’s huge. I think that’s something that’s going to make us better as a line and as an offense.”

Self-inflicted wounds have plagued the Jets for the last three seasons. Last season, the Jets led the NFL in penalties with 124.

Many of those self-inflicted wounds came from the offensive side of the ball. It should improve with Rodgers under center. But offensive linemen will have to get used to his cadence, and that was a problem on Thursday.

“The cadence system is fascinating, and it is complex,” Saleh said. “But the more they hear it, just like in walk-through, we’re pushing it in walk-through also to make sure that those guys are hearing it, they’re understanding it. So, throughout this entire training camp, we’ll get a hold of it.”