The Jets were one of the 21 teams that began organized team activities [OTAs] on Monday morning.
The Falcons and Commanders both have new coaches and began OTAs last week. The Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Lions, Colts, Saints, Steelers, and Buccaneers will start OTAs on Tuesday, and the Bengals will hold theirs on May 28.
OTAs start Phase 3 of the offseason program, which lasts four weeks. All practices are voluntary, like the rest of the offseason program up to this point. The Jets will hold a mandatory minicamp from June 11-13.
Teams can have a maximum of 10 OTA practices. Live contact is not allowed, but teams can run 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills. The Jets will host their first OTA practice in front of the media on Tuesday.
There’s a lot of anticipation and excitement around the Jets after their offseason moves. A lot of that has to do with Aaron Rodgers‘ return from an Achilles injury.
In addition to Rodgers, here are the other noteworthy storylines to watch.
How much will Rodgers participate in OTAs?
Everyone will have their eyes on Rodgers once he hits the field. Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters last month that Rodgers will have “no restrictions.”
Rodgers has been removed from Achilles surgery for more than eight months. He tore it during the Jets’ season opener against the Bills last September. To help expedite the recovery process, he received the speed bridge procedure.
A year ago, during OTAs, Rodgers tweaked his calf while warming up before practice. He eventually returned to the field, but it remains to be seen how many snaps Rodgers will receive during this year’s OTAs.
Rodgers missed all but four plays last year, so gaining that chemistry with his teammates is undoubtedly important. But there could be days when Rodgers observes from the sideline while Tyrod Taylor gets snaps with the first-team offense.
Jets newly made offensive line
The Jets offensive line has been much maligned the last two seasons. Last year, they had 14 offensive line combinations in 17 games. In 2022, 11 different players started games on the Jets offensive line.
But this offseason, Jets general manager Joe Douglas added three new starters and a rookie who could receive playing time.
Gang Green signed tackle Tyron Smith and guard John Simpson. The team also acquired Morgan Moses in a trade with the Ravens.
It is unknown how many snaps veterans like Smith and Moses will receive during OTAs. Smith, 33, is a veteran who hasn’t played an entire season since 2015. Moses had torn pectoral surgery during the offseason after suffering the injury early last season.
In last month’s draft, the Jets selected tackle Olu Fashanu out of Penn State.
Alijah Vera-Tucker‘s status for OTAs remains a mystery. He tore his Achilles during the Jets’ Week 5 victory at the Broncos and missed the rest of the season.
Vera-Tucker told reporters last month he began running and regaining his strength. But he doesn’t know if he will be ready for training camp or the Jets’ Week 1 game at San Francisco on Sept. 9.
Rookie camp battles
In addition to Fashanu, the Jets have a few rookies competing for snaps. Among them is wide receiver Malachi Corley, who could be opposite Garrett Wilson on the first-team offense.
Gang Green signed Mike Williams to a one-year contract in March. However, Williams is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in Week 3 last year when he was with the Chargers. Douglas told reporters at the NFL Owners Meeting in March that Williams probably won’t be ready for the start of training camp.
The Jets will also have an exciting backup running back battle during the offseason program and training camp. They selected Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen and South Dakota State’s Isaiah Davis in April’s draft. They both will compete with Israel Abanikanda for carries behind Breece Hall.
Cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers [Toronto Argonauts] and safety Jaylen Key [Alabama] will also be the other rookie players on the field during OTAs. Quarterback Jordan Travis, who was selected by the Jets in Round 5 out of Florida State, is not expected to be medically cleared until training camp. Travis broke his leg last November and missed the rest of the 2023 season.
