Aaron Rodgers' New York Jets teammates are reacting to how the four-time MVP is dealing with the growing pains of building chemistry during the offseason.
Rodgers had been noticeably absent from the Jets after going on a mystery trip to Egypt during New York's mandatory minicamp earlier in the summer. As the 40-year-old attempts to figure out how to connect with his teammate after his trip to the African continent, many of his teammates are slowly learning how to live life with Rodgers.
During Monday's practice, the first team practice in pads, Rodgers threw an interception that deflected off of wide receiver Allen Lazard's hands. Following the miscue and ensuing tantrum from the star quarterback, Lazard - a former teammate of Rodgers' with the Green Bay Packers - told reporters how the team is seeing the situation with Rodgers.
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"I would say 'demonstrative' is a good word for him," Lazard told reporters Monday, per ESPN . "You're talking about one of the best, if not the best quarterback of all time, and his standard and level of play is something a lot of guys haven't seen yet. Even this organization - they haven't really been with him on game day, because being with him on the sideline on a Sunday is different.
"Honestly, he expects the same standard that he holds himself to out of everyone else, and today just didn't resemble that at all. I think as an offense we were just a little bit sloppy."
Meanwhile, Tyler Conklin believes playing with someone as ferocious as Rodgers is on the field can only pay dividends when the time comes. "I think that's the beauty of playing with a great like that," the tight end explained to reporters.
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"You have someone that's going to, at all times, hold everybody accountable, no matter who you are. I think that's kind of something that not every team has. I think that's really a blessing at the end of the day to have someone that cares that much and has a standard like that.
"That's going to become our standard as a team. But to have a Hall of Famer who has won a Super Bowl - been there, done that - I think that's necessary."
Even with how fiery Rodgers is on the field, the 40-year-old has realistic expectations for how the Jets will fare this season. Of note, he told reporters after practice on July 25 that he believes New York will be one of the "top 12" teams in the NFL.
"The goal is New Orleans, it has to be the goal," Rodgers said, referencing how Super Bowl LIX will take place in Louisiana.
"The beauty is, every single year there's eight to 12 teams, maybe probably less, but 8-12 teams that can actually do it. We're one of those eight to 12."
Despite his confidence in his team, Rodgers risked angering Jets fans with his recent comments. In an appearance on "Pardon My Take," the 40-year-old explained why he feels the team should be known as the "New Jersey Jets."
“Nobody [on the team] lives in New York,” he said. "If you are a Giant you can, but I don’t know why you would just because of the traffic into the tunnel. I joke about, I know the stadium used to be on Long Island, but we are the New Jersey Jets. So are the Giants ."
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