Jets training camp fights taking center stage for start of Rodgers era

With NFL Films cameras rolling and fans in attendance, there were multiple fights among New York Jets players during the team’s first open training camp practice.

The New York Jets were the talk of the NFL offseason due in part to their trade acquisition of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team was a quarterback away from potentially contending for a playoff spot, now they have a four-time NFL MVP to lead the way. With that, all eyes are going to be on the Jets, and it came as no surprise that HBO and the NFL picked the AFC East squad to be the focus of the “Hard Knocks” series this summer.

Let’s just say that the Jets didn’t waste any time in giving HBO some content for the opening episode.

The Jets held their first training camp practice that was open to the public on Saturday, July 22 at their facility in Florham Park, N.J. During the practice, fans and HBO production members got to see not one, but multiple fights take place. One of those fights involved defensive lineman Micheal Clemons and tight end Jeremy Ruckert.

Multiple fights take place in the Jets’ first training camp practice open to public

According to The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt (subscription required), defensive end Jermaine Johnson “threw a few swings” at tight end Kenny Yeboah, while Tyler Conklin and Ruckert had their helmets “falling off” after an altercation with Johnson and Clemons.

Fighting in training camp? While it may be shocking for some fans to see players on the same team get into physical confrontations, it’s nothing new. This will happen across all training camps. But just wait until joint practices are held. The competitiveness will be at an all-time high.

Speaking of joint practices, for those curious, the Jets will be practicing with the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this summer ahead of their respective preseason games. The Jets will practice with the Panthers at Wofford University in Spartanburg, S.C. on Aug. 9 and 10, while hosting the Buccaneers on Aug. 16 and 17 in Florham Park.

For those wondering how Rodgers looked in his first practice in front of Jets fans, just take a look at this red zone pass to wide receiver Corey Davis. Spoiler alert, it was a pretty good throw.

https://twitter.com/nyjets/status/1682813080374321155?s=20

We’ll see if there are any more fights at the team’s practice when they are in front of fans again on Sunday, July 23.