After arriving in New York in late April, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having "the most fun" while attending the team's organized team activities.
Rodgers shared that cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson have stood out at practice. The four-time NFL MVP QB believes Gardner and Wilson could be the best at their position at some point in the NFL.
"The thing I like and that I'm encouraging is more communication across the ball. We got at some point possibly the best corner and the best receiver in the NFL," Rodgers said on Friday. "There's a legit possibility I think for those two guys. Maybe not this upcoming year, I still think that Davante (Adams) is in a league of his own, but those two kids are so talented."
In 2022, Gardner and Wilson had outstanding rookie seasons. Gardner won Defensive Rookie of the Year, earning first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. The cornerback, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, led the league with 20 passes defensed and recorded two interceptions in 17 games.
Meanwhile, Wilson took home the Offensive Rookie the Year award. In 17 games, the No. 10 overall pick had 83 receptions, 1,103 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
With Gardner and Wilson competing against each other at practice, Rodgers says communicating what works and what doesn't can elevate the second-year players.
"I think that's how we take the next step, is to talk about the things that give us the most issues, to talk about release issues and also what's hard on Garrett and then Sauce telling Garrett what's hard on him," the Jets quarterback said. "I think right now we got good communication with those guys. They battle, they compete."
Rodgers will be entering his 19th NFL season and hopes to develop a new connection on the field with Wilson. Rodgers is excited to work with Wilson as the wide receiver has shown flashes during their practice sessions.
"I love Garrett. I mean awesome, awesome young kid. The whole world in front of him. He's got all the talent and ability," Rodgers said. "You need your best players to be the best people on your team. He's definitely one of them. Love spending time with him, love just watching him. I mean there's at least one time at practice he does something, you're kind of looking back at Todd (Downing) and Hack (Nathaniel Hackett) and Rob (Robert Saleh), everybody's looking back going, 'Wow.' So, that's exciting."
New York and Rodgers will continue to work on building chemistry in July for training camp.
