Rodgers’ advice to Panthers rookie: ‘Be gentle with yourself’
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Aaron Rodgers and Bryce Young are quarterbacks on opposite sides of the spectrum.
Rodgers, 39, is expected to be the Jets’ savior. Fans hope the four-time MVP can guide the team to its first Super Bowl appearance since January of 1969.
Young, 22, was selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 draft, hoping to help turn around a Panthers club that finished 7-10 a season ago. As the Jets and Panthers went through their first joint practices on Wednesday, Rodgers offered a little advice to Young.
“Be gentle with yourself,” Rodgers said. “It’s a long journey. It feels like every little snap and practice is the end of the world if it doesn’t go right.
“It’s just not true. It’s a long, long journey. It’s about hold onto your confidence and enjoying the ride, enjoying the little things every day. But I think he’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he’ll be just fine.”
Rodgers and Young both had their standout moments in 11-on-11 drills. Rodgers finished the day 8-of-13, but the offense stalled out during a two-minute drill in which he completed only one pass.
During 7-on-7 drills, Rodgers was 5-of7 and hooked up with Allen Lazard for a deep touchdown. This week’s joint practices against the Panthers and next week’s against the Buccaneers will serve as his tune-up for the Jets as the team approaches the season debut against the Bills on Sept. 11.
While the Jets offense had its ups and downs, Young appeared to be comfortable being the general of the Panthers offense. He completed two difficult passes over the middle with throws that couldn’t have been better, including one to rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo.
While cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and defensive end Carl Lawson were both out, Young went 4-of-6 during two-minute drills before the Panthers offense had to settle for an Eddy Pineiro field goal.
“There’s ups and downs, good and bad and it’s tough when you come off the field and there’s a lot of emotions and everything,” Young said. “So when we put on the tape (we’ll) get a chance to learn and see all that went well and all that could have went better.”
Rodgers and Young had never met before Wednesday despite the two sharing the same agent. The two spoke briefly and shook hands before practice. Rodgers won’t play against the Panthers Saturday, but Young will start.
Young certainly has the pedigree to become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. At Alabama, he won the 2021 Heisman Trophy and passed for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
“I won’t put them in the same voice, in terms of arm angles, but I will say I felt like he’s an unbelievable point guard,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said comparing Young to Rodgers. “Being able to deliver the ball where it needs to go in a timely fashion and super, super great young man with tremendous football IQ. I think I speak for everyone, we think he’s going to be pretty damn good.”