CHARLOTTE — Aaron Rodgers did not participate in the Jets’ joint practice with the Commanders last week due to the rainy weather.
So Thursday’s joint session with the Panthers was the first time the four-time NFL MVP has gone up against another team since tearing his Achilles four plays into last year’s season opener.
And the results for Rodgers and the Jets were mixed. The 40-year-old QB completed 14 of 22 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The first interception came on a high throw to wide receiver Allen Lazard. But it was a pass that should’ve been caught after it bounced off his hands and into Panthers safety Alex Cook’s for a turnover.
Rodgers’ second interception was undoubtedly his fault. Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace appeared to read Rodgers’ eyes and registered the interception inside the red zone.
“We started slow, which can’t happen,” Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said about the offense. “But it’s going to happen. But you have to find a way to bounce back and finish strong, and I feel like we did that today.
“We are going to go back and figure out what exactly why we started slow. I know personally, I have to dig deep and find that and make sure that we have that step and energy as soon as we come out. I gotta be one of the guys that has us ready to go. I was feeling sorry for myself a little bit to start. But that no longer will be the case, we gotta roll.”
Both of Rodgers’ touchdowns were to Wilson as the pair continue to build chemistry
“It’s kind of just spending time together and playing,” Wilson said. “You start to build this chemistry and this understanding of how he goes about his and how I go about mine. It happens naturally. I wouldn’t say we are putting extra thought into it at this point, we feel like we are in a good spot. We definitely had to make up some time to start.
“We feel like we’ve kind of picked [up where we left off]. Now, it is just about stacking days and finding a way to get better in little ways. The pre-snap stuff and stuff that may not show up on the stat sheet or even on a TV copy of a game. If you know ball, you know there’s a lot more to it and those are things we are building on.”
The up-and-down play from Rodgers wasn’t the only reason the Jets offense was subpar against the Panthers.
Gang Green’s offensive line allowed four sacks and several pressures throughout the day. It’s worth noting that three of those four sacks came while left tackle Tyron Smith, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Morgan Moses were not on the field. Smith, Vera-Tucker and Moses have been on a pitch count during training camp.
The Jets’ defense was also not particularly sharp. Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. beat cornerback D.J. Reed for a touchdown, which led to a melee after Marshall flipped the ball in Reed’s face after the play.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young also completed a 30-yard pass to Jonathan Mingo with Reed in coverage.
The Jets’ rushing attack was the strongest unit against the Panthers. Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis registered several big runs, and the offensive line gave them massive holes to run through. Davis ran for a 20-yard touchdown on a block that rookie tackle Olu Fashanu set for him.
MOSLEY NOT CONCERNED ABOUT REDDICK’S HOLDOUT
Thursday marked Day 24 of Haason Reddick‘s holdout. The star edge rusher did not report to the Jets’ training camp on July 23 in a contract dispute.
Then, on Monday, Reddick requested a trade from the team.
Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that Reddick’s absence hasn’t been a distraction. Defensive captain and linebacker C.J. Mosley echoed those same sentiments.
“I really don’t have an opinion,” Mosley said about the situation. “He hasn’t been here, so we really haven’t talked about it as a defensive unit. It really hasn’t come up on our end. This offseason, we were getting ready for training camp. Training camp is here and now we are getting ready for the season.
“No disrespect, but that’s not really our focus because we have to get ready for the season. When he comes, if he comes, we will be here, and we will be the same people. He will just have to adjust and learn really quick. If not, it just is what it is.”
Reddick is unhappy with his current contract situation and is in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract he signed with the Eagles in 2022. The Jets acquired Reddick for a conditional third-round pick in late March. However, he has only visited the team facility once to take his physical and for his introductory press conference on April 1.
Reddick is being fined $50,000 for every day he misses. That has cost him $2 million when you add in fines and a missed $250,000 workout bonus for not attending mandatory minicamp in June.
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