Aaron Rodgers finest be looking out for a 55-year-old former receiver attempting to sneak into the Jets’ huddle for outdated time’s sake.
Shawn Jefferson was lucky to catch passes from three Tremendous Bowl quarterbacks — Stan Humphries, Drew Bledsoe and Chris Chandler — throughout his 13-year NFL profession, however Jefferson sounds virtually jealous of the chances in entrance of the Jets receivers.
As their new place coach, he’s attempting to convey a way of urgency.
“I’m simply having a chat with my guys within the classroom,” Jefferson stated, “like, ‘Hey, you possibly can play on this league for 10-12 years and never play with a quarterback like [Rodgers]. Let’s make the most of him whereas he’s right here. This quarterback can actually make your profession.’ ”
So, what does maximizing the chance seem like for various Jets receivers?
Garrett Wilson
No receiver in NFL historical past has obtained extra targets (315) over his first two seasons, however Wilson is about to be taught the worth of high quality over amount.
He hasn’t been among the many top-50 receivers in both season in common depth of goal whereas enjoying with seven completely different quarterbacks.
Davante Adams’ 17-game common as Rodgers’ No. 1 goal from 2017-21 was 121 catches (on 175 targets) for 1,483 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Rodgers has drawn Wilson-Adams comparisons.
“This child may be precisely no matter he desires to be,” Jefferson stated. “If you end up that man, understanding what the protection goes to attempt to do in opposition to you … and the little nuances of, ‘OK, after we see this, you try this’ [is crucial].
“Actually, sky’s the restrict for this child. He has that ‘it’ issue. He has that dawg. And the factor that’s actually spectacular is he works, he works, he works. I’m in all probability going to have to avoid wasting him from himself.”
Allen Lazard
It’s accepted that some athletes are solely productive in sure programs. Perhaps Lazard is barely productive with one quarterback.
Earlier than he’s written off as a four-year, $44 million free-agent bust, Lazard deserves an opportunity to point out that he can resurrect his profession from the dud of final season (23 catches for 311 yards and one landing) by means of his unstated chemistry with Rodgers.
He averaged 51 catches for 677 yards and 6 touchdowns with Rodgers from 2018-21.
After a poor begin to OTAs, Lazard began making performs and flashing because the marketed red-zone menace.
“Since I’ve been right here, he’s been like a second coach within the room,” Jefferson stated. “He’s been with Aaron his complete profession. He understands what Aaron desires on this route, the place to be in opposition to Cowl 2 or in opposition to Quarters. That may be a big-time benefit for him and likewise for us as an entire sharing that within the classroom.”
Malachi Corley
Historical past reveals that rookie receivers by no means fare effectively with Rodgers: Six receivers drafted with top-four-round picks by the Packers from 2008-21 completed their rookie years averaging 19.5 receptions for 230.5 yards and 1.3 touchdowns.
They pointed to Rodgers’ difficult hand-signal language and excessive calls for in a report by The Athletic. Rodgers refuted the thought.
“[Corley] appears the half,” Rodgers stated. “I get pleasure from his confidence. I heard what he stated pre-draft: It wasn’t what corners he needed to go in opposition to; what gamers he needed to run over was sort of his mindset. He’s saved his head down and labored onerous.”
The Packers ranked top-five within the NFL in yards after the catch in three of Rodgers’ ultimate 5 seasons. Getting the ball out of his hand rapidly is a power.
Corley, who already has impressed the Jets together with his detailed note-taking in conferences, earned the nickname “YAC King” in school.
“That’s his superman energy, proper?” Jefferson stated, “When he will get that ball in his hand, I wouldn’t need to be in entrance of him. He’s going to be a superb participant for us.”
Mike Williams
The 2-time 1,000-yard receiver, who signed a one-year take care of $8.3 million assured and one other $5 million in incentives, has loads of purpose to be all-in.
Not since Greg Jennings (2018-12) has Rodgers performed with such a longtime deep menace. Williams’ 15.6 profession yards per catch ranks No. 2 amongst energetic NFL gamers with at the least 200 catches.
However Williams didn’t apply throughout OTAs whereas rehabbing from a torn ACL, opening the door for second-year undrafted gamers Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson to deepen the receiving corps by “trying good,” Rodgers stated.
Williams’ free-agent addition allowed the Jets to not drive drafting a receiver in the course of a record-tying seven first-rounders and add offensive line depth.
“Particularly with our quarterback, it’s important to be the place you might be imagined to be if you end up imagined to be there,” Jefferson stated. “I’m not right here to alter [the] complete recreation. We’re simply tweaking little stuff right here and there.”