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Jets QB Aaron Rodgers not expected to have any restrictions once OTAs begin May 20



Eight months after his season-ending Achilles injury, Aaron Rodgers is set to be a full go when OTAs begin May 20.

Rodgers will not be restricted during Phase 3 of the team’s offseason program, according to Jets head coach Robert Saleh,

“He has had a couple of prior engagements, but he’s here,” Saleh said about Rodgers on Friday. “He’s working. That guy can still sling it.

“He is still working through his rehab. No issues on the trajectory at this point.

“But once Phase 3 hits, we are not anticipating any restrictions on what he can and can’t do.”

Phase 1 of the NFL offseason program consisted of meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation for the first two weeks. The Jets are currently in Phase 2, which lasts three weeks. This is when on-field workouts may include individual or group drills, but no live contact or offense versus defense drills are allowed.

Phase 3 will begin in late May and consist of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs.” No live contact is permitted, but players can partake in 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.

Last September, during the season opener against the Bills, Rodgers, 40, tore his Achilles four plays into his Jets debut. Two days later, Rodgers had what is called a “speed bridge” surgical procedure, which involved placing an internal brace across the tear to protect the repair and help it heal faster.

Rodgers was expected to return before the 2023 season concluded and help the Jets make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. On November 30, Gang Green activated Rodgers’ 21-day window. However, after the Jets were officially eliminated following a December 30-0 loss to the Dolphins, they declared Rodgers out for the rest of the season. However, he was activated and placed on the 53-man roster to continue practicing with the team.

Last year, basically without Rodgers for the entire season, the Jets went 7-10 for the second consecutive season and finished third in the AFC East. In Rodgers’ absence, Zach Wilson (11), Tim Boyle (two) and Trevor Siemian (three) all started games for the Jets. They finished 31st (268.6) in total offense and 29th in points per game (15.8).

To help improve the offense, the Jets have made upgrades around Rodgers. They added left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses. Gang Green also selected left tackle Olu Fashanu 11th overall in last week’s draft.

Along with Fashanu, the Jets drafted Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley in the third round and running backs Braelon Allen (Wisconsin) and Isaiah Davis (South Dakota State) in the fourth and fifth rounds.

“It’s an exciting group to work with,” Saleh said. We still have to do the work because there’s a lot to be done. The number one thing is keeping all of these guys healthy. It is a group that we are excited about.”

CORLEY INVITED TO STAY IN RODGERS’ GUESTHOUSE

On draft night, Rodgers reached out to Corley after the team selected him 65th overall.

The two have remained in contact for the last couple of days. Rodgers has even extended an invitation for Corley to stay with the four-time NFL MVP.

“I’m just like a little kid, and he’s an adult,” Corley said about Rodgers. “He’s an MVP, Hall of Famer, all those types of things and I’m just like a little kid, talking and texting and see what he has done to stay consistent in the league. The things that he has done work on his mental health, how he has kept his body alive for so long.

“I’ve had conversations with him and he said I can stay in his guesthouse if I want to, so that’s going to be my dog while I’m here.”

Corley is called the “YAC King,” and for good reason. He is in the same mold as 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Corley is a physical receiver who punishes defensive backs and refuses to go down on first contact.

In his final season at Western Kentucky, Corley finished with 79 receptions for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also averaged 8.6 yards after contact per reception, leading the nation with 330 yards on screen passes.

In college, Corley was mainly used from the slot. He would run screens, angle routes, and tunnel screens. This is when Corley would use his body to run through defensive backs and, occasionally, linebackers.

“I just love football,” Corley said. “I love football, and I love life. I think the lord has blessed me with some talent and abilities. Every time I get the ball in my hands, I’m just ready to punish somebody. That’s the way I like to play the game. Getting in the weight room, getting stronger, physically outmatching guys, knowing defensive backs really don’t want to tackle. Every time I get the ball, I’m trying to make something happen with it. Running through guys is my way of imposing my will.”

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