First-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn stunned some members of the NFL group when he confirmed on Thursday that his starters will play within the group’s preseason opener on the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Saturday.
Whereas talking with reporters after Glenn revealed his plans, Jets star cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner addressed his coach’s choice.
“It didn’t shock me in any respect,” Gardner stated, per Andy Vasquez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. “If you happen to all look, we’ve been tackling in observe. I used to be fairly certain he was going to need us to sort out one other group. So I’m embracing that and searching ahead to it, however I undoubtedly was not stunned. None of us have been stunned when he stated that.”
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic noted that the Jets have held extra “bodily” practices this summer season than they “have had in years.” Rosenblatt additionally pointed out that Jets gamers like how the group’s present regime “praises physicality” and “accountability” after former head coach Robert Saleh embraced a special strategy concerning coaching camp.
Saleh went 20-36 as Jets head coach earlier than he was fired final fall.
In June, Antwan Staley of the New York Every day Information shared that Gardner’s missed-tackle charge of 17.5 p.c for the 2024 season had him ranked eightieth out of 96 certified cornerbacks. That did not forestall the Jets from handing Gardner a four-year, $120.4M deal earlier this summer season.
“I really like soccer,” Gardner added. “I’m obsessive about soccer. Any likelihood that I get to play, I’m at all times going to like the thought.”
In the meantime, numerous reporters talked about over the primary week of August that new Jets beginning quarterback Justin Fields endured loads of struggles throughout training-camp practices. Understandably, Glenn did not say if he’s taking part in starters in opposition to the Packers as a result of he feels his offense wants the extra reps.
“As a result of I would like the fellows to play,” Glenn stated about his choice. “That’s the explanation.”
Jets followers can not help however fear that Glenn may discover himself second-guessing his name earlier than Saturday’s contest wraps up.
