Much has been mentioned about Aaron Rodgers and the want record he allegedly gave the Jets when he first met with the staff almost two months in the past.
However, Jets coach Robert Saleh refuted these claims when requested about it on Friday after their first rookie minicamp apply.
“I think it is a silly narrative with regards to a wish list,” Saleh mentioned.
“They’re 32 teams in the NFL and it’s common practice for when they’re changes, when you have a new coaching staff, when you have people coming in, you surround those people with people they’re familiar with.”
The Jets signed veteran broad receiver Randall Cobb to a one-year contract on Wednesday. He is among the many ex-teammates of Rodgers that’s joined the Jets roster this offseason.
In March, the Jets additionally signed broad receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract. In addition to Rodgers and Lazard, quarterback Tim Boyle, offensive sort out Billy Turner and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett have all joined the Jets after spending time in Green Bay.
Other reported names on Rodgers’ want record included former Giants, Browns and Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and former Packers tight finish Marcedes Lewis. The Jets expressed curiosity in buying Beckham earlier than he signed a one-year, $15 million assured contract with the Ravens in April. Lewis stays a free agent, however Saleh mentioned, “you never know” when he was requested about probably including the 38-year-old former Pro Bowler.
“I had a wish list, there’s Soloman Thomas, Marcell Harris, DJ Reed, Kwon Alexander, guys who I’ve worked with who are very familiar with our messaging and very familiar with our scheme who can come in and play,” Saleh mentioned. “We had it on offense with Laken Tomlinson and Tevin Coleman and guys who’ve been within the system.
“Tom Brady goes to Tampa and he will get [Rob] Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. So it is vitally frequent for brand new faces to need outdated faces to assist speed up the brand new set up of a program. Hackett has one thing to say as he loves Lazard, loves Randall, he took Billy Turner with him to Denver, labored with him in Green Bay.
“Of course, you’re going to surround a coach with people who he feels like he can plant the flag. That whole narrative of whatever is being put on the quarterback, it is tired, but it’s common practice in the NFL.”
BECTON CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
After solely enjoying one recreation over the past two seasons, it stunned nobody the Jets determined to not choose up Mekhi Becton’s fifth-year choice on Tuesday, which might have assured him a wage of $13.5 million for the 2024 season.
However, Becton continues to impress coaches as he seems to be like a brand new man this offseason. He has reportedly misplaced over 50 kilos and has been practising with the staff in the course of the Jets offseason program.
“He looks good, he looks fantastic,” Saleh mentioned. “I don’t get into the entire enterprise a part of it. But simply discover a approach to get higher each day.
“He is attacking this offseason the right way and I’m excited for him.”
After his rookie season wherein Becton began 13 video games for the Jets at left sort out, accidents have plagued the previous first-round pick of Louisville. During the 2021 opener in opposition to the Panthers, Becton suffered a dislocated kneecap and missed the remainder of that season.
Becton returned wholesome for coaching camp the next season. However, he injured the identical knee, leading to one other surgical procedure, as he missed the 2022 marketing campaign. Now Becton will compete with the hopes of him reclaiming a beginning function on the Jets offensive line as soon as once more.
Becton has made no secret about his choice on the offensive line — he desires to be the beginning left sort out. But he can have some competitors on the spot in veteran Duane Brown, who began 12 video games at left sort out final 12 months. The Jets additionally chosen sort out Carter Warren within the fourth spherical of final weekend’s draft.
Even if Becton performs at proper sort out, there’s no assure he begins there both, as Max Mitchell, who began 5 video games at proper sort out as a rookie, is ready to return after blood clots in his lungs and calf prematurely ended his season.
“We are going to play our best five. You can assume AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker] is the best right guard and Laken. But center and both tackles, it’s going to be a cool competition on the offensive line.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com