Rodgers not worried about Jets' O-line, calls it 'a work in progress'
Aaron Rodgers is aware of the New York Jets' offensive line issues but he doesn't think it's time to hit the panic button. At least not yet.
Following a six-sack joint practice versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday, the superstar quarterback said his worry about New York's O-line is "pretty low," according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.
"I don't get concerned about things I don't have a huge role in - yet," Rodgers added. "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."
The Jets' O-line also struggled during last week's practice against the Carolina Panthers, and head coach Robert Saleh voiced his thoughts in the latest episode of "Hard Knocks."
"You can have a Hall of Fame quarterback. You can have two $10 million-plus receivers. You can have a reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. You can have all kinds of skill in the running back room. None of it f-----g matters until the big boys up front change who the f--k we are," Saleh said, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
On Wednesday, New York practiced without starting guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, as well as left tackle Duane Brown. All three are dealing with injuries. Despite the absences, Rodgers liked what he saw at practice after the unit reportedly struggled Tuesday.
"I thought we played a lot better up front today," Rodgers said, according to NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "It's a work in progress."
The Jets currently have an active position battle between centers Connor McGovern and Joe Tippmann, a second-round rookie. Max Mitchell and Billy Turner are also competing for the starting right tackle role. And, former first-round pick Mekhi Becton is practicing at left tackle.
"(Someone) asked a question about the continuity of the guys playing together, and I was thinking maybe we'd start to figure some of the stuff out," Rodgers said. "Obviously, it hasn't happened yet.
"There's jobs up for grabs. So that's the beauty in camp but also the struggle. In talking with a couple of the guys, we just need some continuity, I think, at some point, so guys can feel comfortable playing together."
The Jets traded for Rodgers this year after struggling offensively and missing the playoffs last season. New York allowed 42 sacks in 2022 while starting three different quarterbacks.
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