New York Jets’ New York Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh smiles as he talks to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Have the New York Jets finally turned a corner with their offensive line? If Aaron Rodgers is going to play in a preseason game for the first time since 2018, that certainly might be the case.
With the confirmation that Rodgers will be starting in Saturday’s preseason finale against the New York Giants, the Jets need to ensure their franchise quarterback is protected in a way that won’t damage their 2023 prospects.
Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), Laken Tomlinson (leg), and Duane Brown (shoulder) have not joined the team yet at practice over the last week. Add in concerns with Joe Tippmann’s knee injury suffered in Saturday’s preseason loss to Tampa Bay, and the Jets’ offensive line is severely depleted heading into this final preseason game.
But the Jets would not send Rodgers out with a few backup offensive linemen. With the decision announced, the logical conclusion is that most, if not all of the potential offensive line will be back at practice for the team this week.
It wouldn’t make sense for the Jets otherwise. Why throw Rodgers into a meaningless game without the starters he is expecting to have in the 2023 season?
New York’s decision to play Rodgers is also helped by the play of former first-round pick Mekhi Becton. After a dominant performance Saturday with the second team, many now expect him to be receiving reps with the first-team offense once practice begins in preparation for the Giants. Becton has done an incredible job of improving his trust and strength in the knee that has cost him two straight NFL seasons. After logging consecutive practices and games as the best tackle on the team, the expectation is that Rodgers will have a young star protecting his…
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