Aaron Rodgers is back.
While he was on the field for a closed practice Monday and from the start of Tuesday’s practice, Rodgers unofficially announced his return to media members late in the second OTA of the week by firing a 40-yard fastball over the middle to Xavier Gipson for a walk-in touchdown.
The pass just beat the closing safety to the mark.
The Jets appeared to do more 11-on-11 drills than they are accustomed to during non-contact OTAs under fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh.
“He’s doing everything,” Saleh said.
At this point in the offseason, only helmets and protective knee and elbow pads are allowed, and players wear shorts.
In other words, advantage offense.
Rodgers also threw red-zone touchdowns to Garrett Wilson and to former Packers teammate Allen Lazard.
Free-agent signing Mike Williams was off to the side with other rehabbing players.
Most importantly, Rodgers did not show any signs of limited mobility coming back from a torn Achilles suffered in the 2023 season-opener. It was a change from when he was on the practice field late last season, before the dream of getting activated for a playoff push died with too many losses.
At another point, Rodgers coached up the Jets running backs — minus Breece Hall, who was not seen at the voluntary workout — on exactly how he wanted them to do something.
“He has no restrictions,” Saleh said before practice. “The arm talent is still there. It’s really just reacclimating to everything and we’re trying a bunch of new stuff, too.”
