Aaron Rodgers 'Doing Everything' At Jets OTAs Is Meaningful In Multiple Ways

It's been eight months since Aaron Rodgers ruptured his Achilles and effectively ended the New York Jets high hopes for 2023. But here the Jets are on a Tuesday in May, with those hopes right back in the same spot.

The Jets have lofty expectations for 2024. Everybody else does too, if their national television schedule is a measure.

And one reason for that is Rodgers is healthy again. As in doing everything in OTA practices with no on-field restrictions.

Saleh Says ‘No Limitations’ For Rodgers

"He's doing everything," Saleh reported Tuesday morning. "He has no restrictions and he looks good, man. The arm talent is obviously still there. It's really just re-acclimating to everything and we're trying a bunch of new stuff too. And it's really trying to evolve within the offense."

Saleh was borderline effusive on how far along Rodgers has come since the injury in the September 2023 regular-season opener. But is Rodgers already at 100 percent?

"That's probably a better question for him," Saleh said. "But as far as we're concerned, his track and what he's able to do, there's no limitation to what we're asking him to do at practice."

And that accounts for Aaron Rodgers as the Jets quarterback.

But the Jets, which have previously shown a deference for Rodgers many teams don't have for their quarterbacks, are also hedging their bet.

Yes, they're relying on Rodgers to assert his will and desires within the offense when he's in there. But they're also being careful to author an offense that has new stuff not mean for Rodgers – in case Rodgers goes down again.

"Last year was a tremendous learning experience – including myself," Saleh said. "I think it’s about building an offense that can weather the storm of injury, right? Last year, we got kind of caught behind the eight ball with preparing — and, again, it’s all part of, you’re trying to install an offense and so when you’re trying to install an offense, you’re installing an offense with a plan that it’s going to stay healthy for the season in Year 1.

"Year 2 coming around, I think it’s evolving the offense that still keeps it where the offense can hum. I’m trying not to give away any thoughts or things we’re doing differently. But there’s going to be a tremendous learning experience for everybody in how to weather the storm in regards to injury."

Nathaniel Hackett. (Getty Images)

Hackett Offense Stalled Without Rodgers

That's primarily because Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who has a history with Rodgers dating back to their Green Bay days, built a Rodgers offense and didn't have another card to play when the club had to install Zach Wilson as the starter.

For everyone's information: Zach Wilson is not Aaron Rodgers.

Not close in practically any regard.

And yet Hackett was initially asking Wilson to do what the club worked on in training camp with Rodgers. 

That put the bullseye on Hackett this offseason.

Saleh announced during his presser that Hackett will remain the club's offensive play-caller next season but declined to address a report which said Saleh tried to find a replacement for Hackett.

SNY reported last week that the Jets made "legitimate attempts" to hire someone who would effectively replace Hackett. That person, the report said, would have had final authority over the offense while not having the offensive coordinator title that would have remained with Hackett.

It's obviously a delicate subject.

Robert Saleh reveals coaching pet peeve during "Hard Knocks" episode. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

Saleh Won't Discuss Replacing Hackett

"I addressed all that stuff at the owner's meetings, I'm not going to rehash that," Saleh said.

The owner's meetings were in late March. The report came out last week. 

"It was rehashed from the owner's meeting," Saleh insisted. 

The Jets were bad on offense last year without Rodgers. They averaged 15.8 points per game, which was fourth-worst in the NFL. They averaged 171.1 passing yards per game, which was third-worst in the NFL.

The Jets finished 31st in points per possession (1.13) and 32nd in yards per possession (21.8).

And what does that have to do with a healthy Rodgers?

The Jets' offense this year is going to walk the line of doing things Rodgers does well. And that includes him telling Hackett what he wants to run and even vetoing some of the coordinator's calls.

But, after seeing Rodgers leave after only four plays last season, the Jets want to be prepared if their worst fears manifest and Rodgers is absent again. So some changes are afoot.