Coach Aaron Rodgers would do well to be wary of the 55-year-old former receiver trying to sneak into the Jets organization for some old-school fun.
Shawn Jefferson had the good fortune to catch passes from three Super Bowl quarterbacks in Stan Humphries, Drew Bledsoe and Chris Chandler during his 13-year NFL career, but Jefferson seems almost jealous of the opportunities ahead of the Jets’ receivers.
As the team’s new position coach, he’s trying to convey a sense of urgency.
“I’m talking to my guys in the classroom,” Jefferson said. “‘I can’t believe I’ve been in this league for 10, 12 years. [Rodgers]”Take advantage of him while he’s here. This quarterback is literally going to define your career.”
So what does making the most of the opportunity mean for the Jets’ various receivers?
Garrett Wilson
No receiver in NFL history has received more targets (315) through his first two seasons, but Wilson is learning the value of quality over quantity.
He didn’t finish among the top 50 receivers in average depth of target in either season while playing with seven different quarterbacks.
Davante Adams appeared in 17 games as Rodgers’ No. 1 target from 2017-2021, averaging 121 catches (175 targets), 1,483 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Rodgers has been compared to Wilson and Adams.
“This kid can be exactly what he wants to be,” Jefferson said. “When you’re that kind of kid, you understand what the defense is trying to do and you have little nuances and you say, ‘OK, when you see this, this is what you’re going to do.’ [is crucial].
“Really, this kid has limitless potential. He has the ‘it’ factor. He’s lovable. And what’s really great is that he tries so hard. Maybe I’ll have to save him from himself.”
Allen Lazard
It’s widely accepted that some athletes only thrive in certain systems, and maybe Lazard only thrives with one quarterback.
Lazard deserves a chance to show he can bounce back from last season’s lackluster performance (23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown) through his unspoken chemistry with Rodgers before being viewed as a dud in his four-year, $44 million free agent contract.
He averaged 51 catches, 677 yards and six touchdowns under Rodgers from 2018-2021.
After a lackluster start in OTAs, Lazard began to make plays and shine as the red zone threat he was advertised to be.
“Since I’ve been here, he’s been like a second coach in the classroom,” Jefferson said. “He’s been with Aaron his whole career. He understands what Aaron wants on this route, where he’s at against a Cover 2 or a quarter. That can be a big advantage for him and for all of us who share that in the classroom.”
Malachi Corey
Historically, rookie receivers have never performed well under Rodgers. The Packers’ six receivers drafted in the top four rounds from 2008-2021 finished their rookie seasons averaging 19.5 receptions, 230.5 yards and 1.3 touchdowns.
They pointed to Rodgers’ complex hand language and demanding nature in a report by The Athletic, which Rodgers denied.
“[Corley] “He’s a perfect fit for the role,” Rodgers said. “His confidence is great. I heard him say it before the draft. It’s not about which cornerback I want to face, it’s about which guy I want to run over. That’s kind of his mindset. He’s put his head down and worked hard.”
The Packers ranked in the top five in the NFL in yards after the catch in three of Rodgers’ final five seasons as coach, and getting the ball out of his hands quickly is an advantage.
Corey, who has already impressed the Jets with his detailed note-taking in meetings, earned the nickname “YAC King” during his college years.
“That’s his superman power, you know?” Jefferson said. “When he has the ball in his hands, I don’t want to stand in front of him. He’s going to be a good player for us.”
Mike Williams
The two-time 1,000-yard receiver has a one-year contract with $8.3 million guaranteed and $5 million in incentives, so he has every reason to give it his all.
Rodgers hasn’t played with such an established deep threat since Greg Jennings (2018-12). Williams’ 15.6 career yards per catch are second among active NFL players with at least 200 catches.
But Williams did not practice during overtime while rehabbing from a torn ACL, which opens the door for second-year undrafted players Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson to bolster the receiver corps with “looking good,” Rodgers said.
Williams’ free-agent addition allowed the Jets to add depth to their offensive line without having to force-draft a receiver in the middle of their record-tying seven first-round draft picks.
“Especially the quarterback, you have to be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be,” Jefferson said. “I’m not here for change. [the] It’s the whole game. Just making little tweaks here and there.”
