Aaron Rodgers throws 12 of 16 passes in Jets practice

Day seven of the New York Jets’ 2026 training camp delivered the most crowded practice of the week so far, with coaches rolling out the full playbook and Aaron Rodgers closing in on his first official snap since December 2023. Fresh off a flawless second scrimmage in Florham Park on Thursday night, the team stayed on the same New Jersey turf Friday to work on red-zone execution and two-minute drills. Rodgers, wearing a black non-contact jersey, threw to receivers on both sides of the field and completed a back-shoulder fade to Mike Williams in team drills. The session was closed to the public, but a handful of credentialed reporters caught the action through a fence line.

This is the first full camp under new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who spent the offseason installing a version of the Shanahan scheme that won the 49ers three Super Bowls in five years. Hackett’s goal is to simplify Rodgers’ reads while keeping the offense explosive enough to protect a defense that already looks stout on paper. The Jets also need to prove they can protect Rodgers; last year’s 14-sack total in five games was the lowest in the NFL, and free-agent additions like left tackle Tyron Smith and guard Jon Feliciano were brought in partly for that reason. With the roster now carrying three veteran QBs—Rodgers, Drew Lock and newly signed Josh Johnson—the club is auditioning everyone for the backup role behind the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer.

In drills that lasted about two hours, Rodgers connected on 12 of 16 attempts in 11-on-11 periods, including a 35-yard dart to Garrett Wilson on a post route. Rookie flanker Malachi Corley flashed after a quick out-and-up that left safety Tony Adams in trail position. On defense, rookie edge rusher Jaxon Smith-Njigba forced a strip-sack on first-team offense, recovering the ball himself. The play wasn’t live—coaches stopped the drill immediately—but it gave the sideline a jolt of optimism about the pass rush. Offensive linemen emphasized communication, calling out blitzes before they arrived, a sign Hackett’s teaching is starting to stick.

What comes next is a Saturday walk-through at 9 a.m., followed by the first full scrimmage of camp on Sunday morning. Rodgers is expected to play the entire first half, giving the offense a chance to show whether Hackett’s system can operate at tempo without the star quarterback taking constant hits. If the snap count stays under 30 and the red zone looks crisp, the Jets will leave Florham Park believing they have a real shot at ending their 13-year playoff drought.