Is Aaron Rodgers playing in the Jets preseason finale vs. the New York Giants

Aaron Rodgers won’t be suiting up for the Jets’ preseason finale against the Giants. Head coach Robert Saleh decided that keeping Rodgers and most of the starters on the sidelines was the best call. It’s an approach that might raise eyebrows, but Saleh is betting big that the countless snaps in practice are more valuable than the few they’d get in a preseason game.

Rodgers hasn’t taken a hit since his Achilles injury last season, and with the opener against the 49ers looming, that’s a full year without contact. Saleh doesn’t seem worried about the lack of preseason action, brushing off injury concerns with the kind of nonchalance you’d expect from a coach who’s seen it all. “You can get hurt at practice, you can get hurt brushing your teeth,” Saleh quipped. He’s more focused on whether this method really preps his squad for Week 1, rather than just ticking the box on the traditional preseason checklist.

On the practice field, it was a different scene. A group of 31 players, including some notable names like Tyrod Taylor and rookie running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, were sidelined from Thursday’s practice, making way for the backups and fringe roster guys to show what they’ve got. Adrian Martinez got the nod to start at quarterback, with rookie receiver Malachi Corley potentially in the mix for some action. Preseason football is just a different beast, as tight end Tyler Conklin noted, “It’s not the regular season. I don’t think it’s a huge deal, to be honest.”

The Jets ramped up the intensity in training camp this year, with the starters averaging about 30 snaps per practice. Rodgers only missed two practices and put his Achilles to the test in joint sessions against the Panthers and Giants. Saleh noted that Rodgers is looking sharp, moving with confidence, and not hesitating to make plays on the run. It’s a good sign for Jets fans hoping Rodgers can hit the ground running in Week 1.

But Saleh’s decision to skip the preseason for his starters will invite scrutiny if the Jets stumble out of the gate. The Chiefs, the gold standard in today’s NFL, played their starters in two of three preseason games. But Saleh isn’t budging. He’s running a tough camp – one that linebacker Quincy Williams called the hardest since his grueling freshman year at Murray State. “We got our mindset on how we want things run here,” Williams said, showing trust in the coaching staff’s approach.

The lack of live tackling, even in joint practices, could be a concern for some. Saleh, however, doesn’t see it as an issue. Williams backed him up, saying it’s just a switch you flip on when the time comes. They’re practicing the fundamentals and tracking the ball, which Williams insists is the key to making the transition to full-contact football.

This isn’t how Saleh used to handle things. In past seasons, he let the starters get some game action in the preseason. But with a roster now brimming with veterans, Saleh is confident that the extra reps in practice are enough. They’ve had their fair share of early season injuries over the past few years, and Saleh’s clearly not eager to risk more.

Of course, the Jets’ offensive line, which features three new starters, hasn’t had a chance to play together in a real game setting. That could be risky. But with the Giants unlikely to field their star defenders, Saleh isn’t sweating it. He pointed to the value of the joint practice against the Giants as more beneficial than a preseason game would have been.

Rodgers might’ve wanted a few preseason snaps, but Saleh’s plan was clear all along. Apart from center Joe Tippman and defensive end Micheal Clemons, none of the projected starters have seen any preseason action. Saleh is banking on his different offseason approach to pay off when it counts. Only time will tell if this unconventional strategy will lead to a fast start for the Jets in the regular season.