You can’t believe everything you see on social media.
That was the message from Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
The two have been filmed in recent practices having heated exchanges on the sideline, which has led to speculation that the two might not be on the same page.
Both players met the media Wednesday and downplayed those exchanges.
“Those are good conversations,” Rodgers said. “They might appear to be much more heated than they are. But there’s usually a smile on our face afterwards, at least one of us.”
Rodgers and Wilson are working on building chemistry.
It is their second year together, but as Wilson pointed out, they did not get to work on the field together after Week 1 last season, so they need to make up for lost time.
At times early in training camp, the two have had some miscommunications, and that has led to some side conversations that could appear to be arguments without any context.
“Those videos, they look a certain way,” Wilson said. “We’re both passionate guys on the football field. … I’m a different guy out on the field than whenever y’all see me after the game or whatever it may be. Aaron’s kind of the same way. It’s really just a conversation where we’re both like-minded. We’re both trying to figure out a way to attack our defense.
“He’ll tell me why he needed me at this depth. I play receiver, so I’ll be like, ‘Man, I was open.’ That’s just how I am. With that, it may look how it looks on social. I try not to worry about it too much. It’s not real. Me and him are out there having those conversations. We’re getting better. We’re gaining an understanding for each other and the way we go about things, the way we think, interpret the game.”
The offense had a rough practice Monday, and Rodgers was visibly upset with the unit.
He was particularly vocal toward second-year center Joe Tippmann, who had several high snaps. Tuesday’s practice was better, and the offense dominated the defense Wednesday during a practice that was heavy on the red zone.
Rodgers threw six touchdown passes during the red-zone periods.
Rodgers being visibly upset during Monday’s practice led to headlines, but Rodgers said him getting on teammates is not a big deal.
“I think a lot of that gets overblown from time to time,” Rodgers said. “There’s a standard that I think we like to set. And there’s an accountability. It goes along with that. In practice the standard is very, very high. You know, I think a lot of that stuff is pretty benign in general. But, I like to, you know, push guys to believe in themselves maybe more than, they do at the time. But, a guy like Joe Tippmann, he has the ability to play a long time in this league, at center. And he’s got a chance to be All-Pro, I think. So if he’s snapping the ball a little wayward from time to time, he can take it. You know, he can take me jumping his ass a little bit and getting on him. Sometimes I need to do that.”
Rodgers pointed out that Tippmann still hugged him before practice the next day, and he said usually those conversations end with a handshake and a smile.
“I love a good back-and-forth,” Rodgers said. “As long as at the end of it, we can either agree to disagree and revisit it later, or come to some sort of, you know, middle ground there.”
Wilson said those discussions with Rodgers are educational.
“It’s truly enlightening for me every time we have convos like that despite how it may look,” Wilson said. “Just because I am an emotional, passionate guy. So when we’re losing, I might look a certain way. But in reality all of those conversations are helping me to be better for Aaron because he can make your life real easy. For me, it’s my job to be on my details. He’s been on me about those details.”