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Aaron Rodgers offers perspective on the Jets offensive line

By Russell S. Baxter

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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There are high expectations for Robert Saleh’s team this season. It’s apparent that the New York Jets offensive front is a work in progress.

By all accounts, it has been an outstanding offseason for a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs in over a decade. The New York Jets’ last postseason appearance came in the 2010 AFC title game, a loss to the Steelers at Pittsburgh. If they had won that game, they would have faced Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

Of course, the 18-year NFL veteran is preparing for his first season with the Jets. Rodgers and running back Dalvin Cook are new faces on the offensive side of the ball. That unit is dependent on the play of the men up front. The team has endured training camp, two preseason games and on Wednesday a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New York’s offensive line has been a topic of discussion for months. These last few weeks, coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s attack has taken its share of “hard knocks.” As ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports, Rodgers doesn’t appear to be too worried at the moment.

“It’s August 16,” explained the four-time NFL MVP (to Cimini). So, we’ve got some time…”

The Jets’ regular-season begins on Monday night, September 11, at home vs. the AFC East champions of the past three years. The Buffalo Bills always bring plenty of pass rush and this season doesn’t figure to be any different. That’s a little over three weeks.

“I don’t get concerned about things I don’t have a huge role in—yet,” added Rodgers. “That might change. At some point, I might say, ‘Hey, I need the five who are going to be in there to be in there with me for a solid week.’ But I don’t think we’re at that point…because I don’t think there are five guys that have earned those spots. So, I have some patience.”

There have been some signs of frustration and understandably so. That Monday night vs. the Bills will be here in the blink of an eye. So, will Saleh’s offensive front, whoever it might be, be up to the task? It’s impossible to tell at this moment. It’s been a painful process to date.

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