Rodgers does not have the arm of a 40-year-old

t’s easy to get carried away in the hype surrounding Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, but Aaron Rodgers is doing all he can to re-establish himself as the top quarterback in the NFL. Mahomes can dazzle with behind-the-back passes all he wants, but it can’t compare to this masterful dime from Rodgers at New York Jets practice.

Aaron Rodgers finds Garrett Wilson with highlight reel pass

After suffering an Achilles injury in Week 1 of the 2023 season, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback still has not played a full regular season game with the Jets. While injuries will remain a concern for the 40-year-old, his arm appears to be back in MVP form.

The downfield connection that went viral from a Jets joint preseason practice with the cross-town rival New York Giants will also put a smile on the face of another key figure on the Jets roster: wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who caught the touchdown at practice.

Wilson cut a frustrated figure last season, with his measly 11.0 yards per reception and three receiving touchdowns underlining New York’s inconsistent QB play after Rodgers went down.

Preseason Jets hype building again in 2024

But with 50-yard bombs like the one Rodgers hit him with at practice, Wilson can dream of much better production in 2024. Combined with the emergence of running back Breece Hall and the key free agent signing of left tackle Tyron Smith from the Dallas Cowboys, the preseason hype in the Big Apple is out of control yet again.

Can they put it together enough to challenge Mahomes and the Chiefs? First, they must figure out how to dethrone the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.

Before that, a harrowing road test looms in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, who are fresh off a Super Bowl LVIII appearance. That Monday Night Football kickoff will raise concerns of a repeat of last year’s Week 1 MNF disaster for Rodgers.

One thing that’s not in doubt is his arm.