Aaron Rodgers is back to doing Aaron Rodgers things.
The four-time MVP pulled off an incredible no-look pass at practice, eight months after Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 season.
Rodgers connected with second-year receiver Xavier Gipson during team drills at organized team activities on Wednesday. Gipson caught the pass on a crossing route past linebacker C.J. Mosley and took the ball the distance.
🚨 AARON RODGERS NO-LOOK PASS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/bNkEpCQs5p
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 22, 2024
That's a pass most Jets fans have been waiting almost a year for since Rodgers went down for the year back in September. And one fans remember Rodgers has made in the past. Rodgers looked solid early in OTAs and has no restrictions at practice following his Achilles recovery. He is the key to the Jets' success in 2024 and Rodgers knows the pressure on him to perform in a pivotal season.
New York surrounded Rodgers with more this year than he would have had in 2023. General manager Joe Douglas didn't spend lavishly in free agency but managed to add key contributors like offensive linemen Tyron Smith, John Simpson and Morgan Moses as well as wide receiver Mike Williams. He also traded for edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafted offensive lineman Olu Fashanu and wide receiver Malachi Corley with the Jets' first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.
JETS 2024 SEASON: Full schedule | Primetime games | Strength of schedule | Must-watch games
Those additions join one of the best overall defenses heading in 2024 with two top-10 cornerbacks. The offense also has 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson and one of the top running backs in the NFL, Breece Hall.
But what Rodgers did in practice Wednesday is exactly why the Jets traded for him in 2022. He gives the offense and edge that former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson didn't and couldn't. Rodgers has made 10 Pro Bowls, made four All-Pro teams, won four MVPs, won 11 playoff games and won a Super Bowl. He's also completed 65.3% of his passes for 59,000 total passing yards, 475 touchdowns and only 105 interceptions.
The Jets haven't seen any of that player outside of practices, though, because of the Achilles injury to begin the 2023 season. If that changes in 2024, the Jets should be one of the top contenders in the AFC East, AFC and NFL.
