New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh wasn't willing to take what can be considered an unnecessary risk, but not everyone saw it that way.
With rain blanketing the area, and an already slick practice field, Saleh decided to sideline starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the Jets' joint practice against the Washington Commanders. Instead of the 40-year-old Rodgers, who is coming off Achilles surgery, New York featured Tyrod Taylor as QB1 and former Jets' head coach Herm Edwards appeared baffled by the decision.
Edwards, who will always be connected to his famous "You play to win the game!" outburst, has joined ESPN's NFL Live as an analyst.
"Last time I checked, football players play football. They play football for a living, so you can't say 'I'm to protect him now.' Protect him from what? He's a football player. That's what they do, they play football. It's called tackle football," said Edwards during a round table discussion that also included former Jets' general manager Mike Tannenbaum.
Edwards, who was New York's bench boss from 2001 through 2005, suggested that the weather was not enough of a reason to hold Rodgers out while the rest of the team took meaningful training camp reps.
"Aaron Rodgers, he should have practiced today. I get it's raining. Mike [Tannenbaum] makes a good point. It could be raining the first game of the season," said Edwards.
The 70-year-old Edwards, who presided over the Jets' most-recent division title in 2002, laid out the approach that he would've taken in the current situation.
"I would do this with Aaron. I would sit with him and say 'Look, how many reps you need in the preseason?' I wouldn't say 'You're not playing.' I'm saying 'How many reps do you need? Is it 40? Is it 50 within three games?' I always looked at reps. Reps were big with me for veteran guys," said Edwards.
As Saleh noted after practice, the Jets have two more joint practice opportunities to get Rodgers involved this summer. In terms of preseason game action, however, Rodgers has been ruled out of the first two exhibitions but a decision has yet to be made for the preseason finale.
“Last time I checked football players play football.” @HermEdwards reacts to Jets head coach Robert Saleh resting Aaron Rodgers for today due to weather 👀 pic.twitter.com/fhqkN1QNBk
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 8, 2024
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