Taking the cautious route on a rainy day in Florham Park, the New York Jets elected to hold Aaron Rodgers out of Thursday’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders.
This gave Tyrod Taylor a chance to run the first-team offense, and based on the reports out of the Jets’ practice facility, Taylor rose to the occasion.
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Taking advantage of a Commanders defense that allowed the most passing yards in the NFL last season, Taylor and Garrett Wilson forged an unstoppable connection throughout team periods. Taylor and Wilson hooked up at all levels of the field for multiple touchdowns and big plays.
Garrett Wilson with a toe tapping touchdown catch from Tyrod Taylor, a perfectly thrown fade from 7 yards. Taylor very impressive, so far in leading the starting offense. # Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 8, 2024
Tyrod hits Garrett again on a deep out route off play-action in 11v11. They’ve been automatic today #Jets
— Andrew Fialkow (@afialkow21) August 8, 2024
Tyrod hits Garrett again on a deep ball for a would be touchdown. Rinse. Repeat. #Jets https://t.co/ZvePklUdcc
— Andrew Fialkow (@afialkow21) August 8, 2024
Shockingly, Tyrod hits Garrett again on a slant route and Garrett makes a few Commanders miss after the catch. He’s on fire #Jets
— Andrew Fialkow (@afialkow21) August 8, 2024
The synergy between New York’s QB2 and WR1 highlighted a seemingly successful day for the offense. Adding to the positive news, left tackle Tyron Smith participated in practice and helped to facilitate a touchdown run by Breece Hall.
LT Tyron Smith is back after missing three practices, and he opened a hole for Breece Hall in 11 v 11 – and 18-yard TD run. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 8, 2024
The Jets’ first-team defense performed at a similarly dominant level against Washington’s Jayden Daniels-led offense, making it an encouraging day overall. Facing an inferior opponent on their own practice field, the Jets took care of business and made it clear they were the better team on both sides of the ball.
In previous years, the Jets have often held joint practices against bad-to-mediocre opponents, such as the Panthers, Giants, and Falcons. In most of those practices, the Jets looked like they were on equal footing with the opponent. There were days when the Jets’ defense did just fine, but the Jets’ offense rarely shone in joint practices, even against weak competition.
That is why it is extremely promising to see New York look head-and-shoulders above another team, particularly on offense. Sure, the Commanders’ defense doesn’t scare anyone. But if you plan on being an elite offensive team, you should take full advantage of exploitable opponents, and that’s what the Jets appeared to do in today’s joint practice – even without their starting quarterback or WR2.
