Sometimes, it is hard to tell who won a given day of practice. Specific reps are left up to interpretation, and without full contact, the true outcome of a play is challenging to gauge.
However, there are some days when one side or the other leaves no doubt. Some days of practice are distinctly won, in more or less terms.
On Wednesday afternoon, the New York Jets had one of those practices. They left no doubt about who won the day and reaffirmed who the better Big Apple-based team is. Through a dominant offensive showing and a strong defensive effort, the Jets ended their string of joint practices on about as high of a mark as was possible.
Rodgers and Wilson, Ready for Takeoff
Look, it is no secret how dominant the Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson combination has been this summer. Against a very talented Jets’ secondary, the duo has repeatedly created highlight plays and big gains. They have established a rapport that already looks like one of the best in the league and is only improving.
But when you put that duo against a secondary that is a step below the Jets, there is potential for magic to happen. It occurred against the Commanders, and it happened again against the Giants.
Rodgers and Wilson feasted on the opposing secondary at every level. The four-time MVP attacked the short area of the field with quick hitters to New York’s young star. Rodgers found the holes in the defense to deliver strikes across the middle, and Wilson sat in the perfect areas to ensure that he could make the play.
Aaron Rodgers ➡ Garrett Wilson 🎯
All made possible by Breece Hall
That block 😮💨#Jets | 🎥 @GrandCentralFan pic.twitter.com/DwzZW09k0O
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) August 21, 2024
Most impressively, the Rodgers-Wilson mindmeld showed up on big, explosive plays down the field. He hit the wideout on a perfectly placed ball down the sideline for a touchdown, set up by some excellent Tyron Smith pass protection.
HOLY BEAUTIFUL THROW 🤯@AaronRodgers12 ➡️ @GarrettWilson_V pic.twitter.com/wJaqhj4Zz8
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 21, 2024
How bout that PASS PRO though https://t.co/Gf8O6EgZFV pic.twitter.com/p76NCWg8ts
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) August 21, 2024
On an arguably even better play, Rodgers scrambled and hit Wilson on what appeared to be a no-look pass, which the wideout proceeded to take all the way to the endzone.
Aaron Rodgers no look pass to Garrett Wilson 👀🔥🔥#Jets | 🎥 @nyjets pic.twitter.com/Ppz8B9UO9Y
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) August 21, 2024
This connection between Rodgers and Wilson has extended beyond just being good. It is on the precipice of being elite, very similar to how Rodgers and Davante Adams worked together in Green Bay.
At this point, it does not seem there is much that can be done to stop this duo. Rodgers and Wilson are ready for takeoff, and opponents should be worried about defending these two high-flying Jets.
Offensive line and auxiliary options show good signs
As fun as the Rodgers and Wilson connection was on Wednesday, they were not the only Jets with good offensive performances.
Breece Hall had a great pass-blocking rep that enabled Rodgers to hit Garrett Wilson across the middle of the field. He also demonstrated his receiving ability, beating linebacker Isaiah Simmons on a route to score a touchdown thrown by Rodgers.
Rodgers to Breece, we are going to see a lot of this ALL SEASON #Jets pic.twitter.com/HynlyqKdXR
— Grand Central Fantasy (@GrandCentralFan) August 21, 2024
Offensive linemen Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith stood out at the tackle positions. Smith had a key block on one of the long touchdowns to Wilson and was a steady force all day. Moses was beaten a few times but rebounded to perform well at right tackle. As a whole, the unit held up great against a talented but underrated Giants pass rush.
Best part of this is having a LT who can keep his man THIS far from the QB https://t.co/7JpQU2pwo0 pic.twitter.com/ne8lu2rlIw
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) August 21, 2024
After a short pass to Lazard, Rodgers throws it behind Gipson in the end zone. Great pass pro rep from Moses. Rodgers then steps up and finds Breece in the end zone. Great route and great pass. #Jets
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 21, 2024
Braelon Allen flashed his receiving ability again, catching an endzone pass in traffic from Rodgers. He also continued to run well, smoothly gliding through the lanes and finishing his runs strong. One such run ended with Allen delivering a truck struck to a Giants defender. Isaiah Davis continued to run hard and showed his burst on multiple handoffs.
Braelon Allen just trucked a dude into the spirit realm
BEAST 🦍#Jets | 🎥 @GrandCentralFan pic.twitter.com/eU7hPkiwxW
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) August 21, 2024
Xaiver Gipson had multiple contributions, whether catching the ball across the middle or making a contested catch down the field. His best play of the day was on a perfect pass from Aaron Rodgers, who allowed Gipson to make a leaping catch deep down the field.
Aaron Rodgers makes the deep ball look easy
Great catch by Xavier Gipson#Jets | 🎥 @nyjets pic.twitter.com/ffRXEBrq5I
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) August 21, 2024
Tight end Jeremy Ruckert bounced back after a drop and had multiple big gains as a receiver, with his notable play being a laser from Rodgers down the seam of the defense. The same could be said for wide receiver Allen Lazard; after a brutal drop on a wide-open end zone pass, he rebounded with multiple catches and a redemption touchdown grab.
.@AaronRodgers12 DOT to @AllenLazard 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TiMHiGN0Dr
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 22, 2024
It is essential for the Jets’ auxiliary pieces on offense to be productive and for the offensive line to be successful. Players like Hall and Gipson will help keep the defense’s attention off Wilson, while Smith and Moses will allow Rodgers to have the time to dissect defenses.
If they play like they did today, the Jets offense is in a great position to be one of the most successful in the franchise’s recent memory.
A Brownlee Boom
Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a history with the New York Giants, as he played for them over the last two seasons. It is not a stretch that Taylor wanted to prove that the other New York team should have never let him go or played a different quarterback over him last season.
On Wednesday, Taylor took it to the Giants, hitting multiple big passes and moving the ball on their backup players. The main instrument of Taylor’s play was wide receiver Jason Brownlee, who continues to emerge after a slow start to camp.
Brownlee started his day with an impressive catch in traffic from Taylor during 7-on-7 drills. The wideout made the catch through contact on a ball fit in between two defenders.
Rodgers misfires on a deep route to Gipson on his next pass. Tyrod then hits Brownlee on a deep completion on the next play. Great job by Brownlee to hang on in traffic. #Jets
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 21, 2024
Brownlee then caught another pass from Tyrod, this time a leaping, toe-touch grab in the back of the end zone. It was an impressive grab over a defender.
Jason Brownlee with the catch of the day so far. Tyrod Taylor felt some heat, threw it in a safe spot, hoping for a 1v1 win in the EZ, and he got it. #Jets
The hands to come down with it after a short bobble, the body control, remaining in bounds … tough catch.
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 21, 2024
To end his day, the second-year wideout had arguably his best play of camp. Taylor took a drop back and lofted a moonshot of a throw down the sideline. Brownlee beat his man off the line, created separation, and flashed the hands late to snag a 50+ yard touchdown to end practice on a very high note for the Jets.
Summer of Brownlee is back. On second down, Tyrod lofts a deep ball down the field to the WR. He beats the CB easily, flashes the hands, and cruises into the end zone. He’s continuing his great play. #Jets
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 21, 2024
Brownlee could be considered the “sleeping dog” in the wide receiver room. He has much potential as a player, specifically as a contested-catch and deep ball threat. However, he has not shown consistency at the NFL level yet.
If Brownlee emerges as a true weapon for the Jets in 2024, the wide receiver room will become much deeper and more versatile. With a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers helming the offense, another weapon at his disposal would only improve the Jets’ chances of competing in 2024.
A D.J. Reed shoutout
Due to all the trouble Garrett Wilson has given him during training camp, D.J. Reed is flying under the radar. Today, Reed had to remind people who he is as a player.
The veteran cornerback had multiple pass breakups, specifically dominating the last drive against the Giants offense. He was initially beaten by rookie Malik Nabers on a deep route but raced back to help influence the pass to be incomplete. When targeted the next two plays, he forced a receiver out of bounds and broke up a pass to force a turnover on downs.
.@D7_Reed really did NOT hold back today 💪 pic.twitter.com/nBi5Dz0Cx8
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 21, 2024
Reed is a big part of a talented Jets secondary that includes himself, Sauce Gardner, and Michael Carter II. Plays like the ones he made today are a good reminder that this specific unit is unlikely to miss a beat and will pick up where it left off last season.
Other notes
- Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson, Javon Kinlaw, and Quinnen Williams provided pressure that might have resulted in sacks in a real game.
- In individual pass-blocking drills, John Simpson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Kohl Levao stood out.
- Isaiah Winstead had some nice routes during team drills.
- Chuck Clark is officially Mr. Boomstick. His hard-hitting will be vital for the Jets this year.
- Brandon Codrington made a leaping PBU on defense. He is continuing to make an impact whenever called upon.
- Zack Kuntz and Malachi Corley look much better with their route running. Corley had a great reception from Martinez in 7-on-7 drills.
Saleh speaks
The Jets’ head coach said tackle Olu Fashanu has a sprain in his elbow but that it is “nothing to be concerned about.” Saleh also spoke about his reasoning for giving the team extra work compared to previous training camps.
“We’ve made an effort to be a little bit more efficient in how we work day-to-day with our guys, and because of it, our workload is significantly more this year than it’s been in the past. Obviously, I think it’s very beneficial anytime you can practice playing football. You’ll get better at playing football, and I think our guys have responded awesome to it. I think they’re starting to feel the difference and how important all these reps have been, and I think they’re feeling it, especially as we’ve gone through these joint practices. They’re leaving those practices feeling more and more confident.”
Quote(s) of the Day
“Yeah, guys were throwing it around there. Who’s the team in New York? You know what I’m saying? We share the same stadium. So we definitely heard that today, for sure.” – Chuck Clark talking about what goes into the Jets and Giants facing each other.
“It was very competitive, man, it was great. Like, I had fun out there today. You know, I don’t really know what to say,” – Sauce Gardner when asked about what it was like facing Daniel Jones.
