Haason Reddick, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams: 5 questions facing the Jets as training camp opens
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson during minicamp last month. Credit: Noah K. Murray
Aaron Rodgers made headlines for skipping mandatory minicamp to travel to the ancient land of Egypt. If he revives the Jets’ almost ancient Super Bowl history this season, he might have a monument built in his honor.
As Rodgers and the rest of the Jets report for training camp on Tuesday, they’re confident that they will accomplish what they set out to do last year.
The Jets were hyped as Super Bowl contenders until Rodgers suffered a season-ending left Achilles tear four snaps into the opening game.
Here are five questions for the Jets heading into training camp:
1. Can Aaron Rodgers stay healthy and lead the Jets to the playoffs?
Anything less would mean the season was a failure and that the Jets will be looking for new leadership and maybe a new quarterback.
Robert Saleh, as well as general manager Joe Douglas, could be gone if the Jets miss the postseason for the 14th consecutive year.
The Jets have the pieces — on both sides of the ball — to compete for the AFC East title . . . if they stay healthy.
It starts with Rodgers. He was close to returning last season after suffering the Achilles injury. He’s healthy now and driven to show he’s still an elite quarterback despite being 40 years old and returning from a major injury.
The Jets are better equipped to handle a Rodgers injury with Tyrod Taylor backing him up instead of Zach Wilson. Still, so much hinges upon Rodgers playing, and playing well.
2. Will Haason Reddick be all-in with the Jets?
Reddick, one of the NFL’s most productive edge rushers the past four seasons, did not attend any of the Jets’ offseason workouts because of a contract dispute. Saleh said he expects Reddick for the start of camp.
The Jets don’t need the drama and unnecessary distraction of one of their biggest offseason pickups holding out. If the two sides can’t work something out and Reddick is playing in a contract year, that could benefit him and the Jets.
Reddick, who has had 50.5 sacks in the past four years, will try to put up impressive numbers to get more money. The attention his presence commands also could lead to big years for tackle Quinnen Williams and end Jermaine Johnson.
3. What kind of leaps will Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall make in Year 3?
If Rodgers can stay healthy, Wilson and Hall should be first-time Pro Bowl players.
Wilson has 178 catches and 2,145 receiving yards in his first two seasons despite never catching a pass from Rodgers. It’s been Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, Chris Streveler, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian.
Hall’s 1,585 scrimmage yards last year were second among running backs to San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey and fourth in the league overall. And this was despite offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett saying he didn’t realize how good Hall was in the passing game. A healthy Rodgers will make sure the ball is going to the right people at the right times, which should lead to really big years for Wilson and Hall and cover up for some of Hackett’s shortcomings.
4. Have the Jets done enough to rebuild the offensive line?
They definitely improved the line, adding Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, John Simpson and first-round pick Olu Fashanu, but Douglas will look for more depth to keep Rodgers protected. During Douglas’ time as GM, the Jets have proved that you can’t have enough.
On paper, this is the best starting offensive line they have had since Douglas arrived in 2019, but there are questions.
Smith, a future Hall of Fame left tackle, has missed 37 games over the last four years. Right tackle Moses had offseason surgery to repair a torn triceps. Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is returning from an Achilles tear. The Jets are confident that second-year center Joe Tippmann will keep developing. They still need more, especially after last season, when they started 13 different combinations.
5. Will Davante Adams be a Jet?
Possibly, if not probably. The Jets tried trading for the Raiders receiver last year and will continue to pursue him — and for good reason. Rodgers and Adams are close friends and were a lethal combination in Green Bay. Both have said they would love to play together again, and Rodgers is pushing for it.
Douglas has to do everything he can to reunite Rodgers and Adams and improve the Jets’ chances of winning a Super Bowl. If Adams wants out and Las Vegas decides to deal him, the Jets have the assets to get him. His cap number in 2025 is $44.1 million, but it’s not guaranteed.
The Jets have upgraded the receiver room, adding Mike Williams and rookie Malachi Corley to give Wilson more help. Adams would make the Jets extremely difficult to defend.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
