The distractions surrounding the New York Jets a season ago has now given way to a team that head coach Robert Saleh believes is focused.
Given the buzz around the arrival of Aaron Rodgers a season ago, this has been a relatively calm training camp and preseason for the Jets, all things considered.
For Saleh, ahead of the final game of preseason on Saturday, this camp has seen the team come together. Given all the buzz around Rodgers (will he play in preseason? Won’t he play? Pyramids?) and Haason Reddick’s holdout, this has been a relatively calm situation for the Jets.
In many ways, it is a stark contrast from a season ago.
“It’s felt like a normal camp. Last year wasn’t normal,” Saleh told reporters on Thursday.
“I’ve really appreciated the way our guys have about their business. I’ve said it before, I love the way our o-line’s coming together, and I’m not just talking about their play style, I’m just talking about they actually like being around each other. I’ve always said it with the defense, the defense likes being around each other. The offense, you see certain position groups, I think they’re actually starting to enjoy being around one another because there’s a lot of like minds, and I’ve liked the way they’ve come together, the way they root for one and other, the way they play for one and other, the way they communicate with one and other, it’s turning into a pretty cool group.”
The Jets play the Giants on Saturday at MetLife Stadium. They open the NFL regular season in Week 1 at the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.