Jets HC Robert Saleh says Aaron Rodgers could play multiple series vs. Giants

Last updated: 2023/08/24 at 10:51 PM

BigP Published August 24, 2023

Aaron Rodgers will make his preseason debut for the New York Jets on Saturday when they take on the New York Giants in the final week of the NFL preseason. The question is: How long will Rodgers actually be on the field?

Head coach Robert Saleh detailed his plan for Rodgers to play multiple series when Craig Carton asked if there was a specific “number of plays in mind” for the 39-year-old, who’s entering his first with the Jets after 15 seasons in Green Bay.

“I want to get a couple of transitions,” Saleh said in an exclusive interview for the “The Carton Show.” “You go to the sidelines, make adjustments [and] come back out after the adjustments are made — do that a couple of times.

“I also know me in the middle of a game. If it goes nine plays, and it goes the way we want on the first drive, I’ll just pull him.”

Carton also detailed an exchange he had with Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah, who is entering his second season with the Jets after totaling 232 receiving yards and two touchdowns across 15 games last season. Uzomah explained how fellow members of the offense are developing a rapport with Rodgers.

“I said [to Uzomah], ‘Walk me through the difference of having Aaron Rodgers there.’ He goes, ‘I’ll give you a great example at today’s practice. Play called in the huddle. We come out of the huddle, Aaron saw something and he [calls an audible] just to me. And I looked at him and said, ‘We don’t practice that. We’ve never done that,’ and he goes, ‘Do it.'”

FOX Exclusive: Robert Saleh reveals preseason plans for Aaron Rodgers

On the pass-catching front, Rodgers has a pair of familiar faces at wide receiver in former Packers teammates Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, while 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson and free-agent signee Mecole Hardman also roam the outside. Corey Davis, who had 536 receiving yards last season, announced his retirement Wednesday.

The Jets previously lost to the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame Game, shut out the Carolina Panthers and lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the preseason.

Rodgers & Co. open the 2023 regular season at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11.

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience