Jets OTAs Notes: Running game taking shape Aaron Rodgers doing his thing and a crowded receivers room.
FLORHAM PARK — The Jets held their third media-open OTA on Tuesday.
Here are a few takeaways from the afternoon…
Attendance isn’t mandatory
The Jets had impressive attendance in the first two media-open OTAs. That wasn’t the case as much for the third round. It looked like they were without the starting defensive line – Jermaine Johnson, Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Haason Reddick. Will McDonald also wasn’t there. Morgan Moses wasn’t visible to the media, but he could have been rehabbing inside.
Left tackle Tyron Smith was in attendance, but wasn’t practicing. He worked on a bike. The same goes for notable players like wideouts Mike Williams and Jason Brownlee, running back Breece Hall and fullback Nick Bawden.
The absence of Reddick is notable. Saleh addressed it during his pre-practice news conference and seemed more annoyed than usual. He also said he hasn’t had any contact with Reddick this offseason – also notable. He had a much different tone when talking about Kinlaw, who’s also skipped OTAs. Saleh said he was around earlier, but not the last couple of weeks.
Among the reasons the Eagles traded Reddick was because he wanted a new contract – near $30 million annually. Philadelphia wasn’t willing to do that, so they signed Bryce Huff for far less ($17 million annually) and dealt Reddick to the Jets. There’s been no indication to this point the Jets are willing to give Reddick an extension. Saleh wouldn’t say if his absence from the offseason program (he has a $250,000 bonus tied to attending these) is contract-related, alluding to that being a question for GM Joe Douglas.
Saleh expects Reddick to attend next week’s mandatory minicamp, but that might have been more hope than confirmation of his plans. We’ll see.
He’s still very good at football
Aaron Rodgers had quite the day. He completed 13-of-17 passes with two touchdowns. He was 6-for-7 with a touchdown in 7-on-7 drills and 7-of-10 with the other score in the 11-on-11 periods. The two touchdowns were things of beauty. The first was a no-look to Garrett Wilson from 40-plus out. Not only was Rodgers looking left, but his entire body positioned that way. He then pivoted and launched one down the seam and right to Wilson. It was an absurd throw.
The second came on the first play of a drive-the-field drill. Rodgers took the snap, rolled right on his repaired Achilles, then launched a 50-yard pass to Xavier Gipson, who made the catch then trotted the final nine yards into the end zone. Not bad at all.
