Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are finding their groove once again. However, that hasn’t been without its challenges. Following the New York Jets’ 21-13 win over the Houston Texans, Rodgers opened up about the adjustment period that he and Adams have been going through.
Aaron Rodgers Gives Details of His New Rhythm With Davante Adams
While fans expected a seamless reunion from the former Green Bay Packers duo, Adams’ new role as the Z receiver has brought some growing pains. Rodgers had one of the worst first-half outings of his career on Thursday but was able to redeem himself later on in the game.
“I missed him on one,” Rodgers explained postgame during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “Tae’s been playing Z, and his whole career he’s been in the X. So there’s been a little bit of some adjustment with that.
“He’s so dynamic on the line of scrimmage with his releases, that’s why he’s such a tough cover at the X. But when you look at the last touchdown we had, that’s an interesting look at the stress we put on defenses,” the former Packers QB continued.
"Davante Adams is so dynamic on the line of scrimmage with his releases..
We can put so much pressure on defenses with him and Garrett Wilson" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HXjcLTKzZH
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow)
The “Z” role typically lines off the line of scrimmage, creating more complex coverage reads, a shift from the straightforward man coverage Adams faced as an “X.”
Adams himself acknowledged the early struggles, saying, “I mean we had trouble getting on the same page just all around with everybody out there at the beginning. Just finding a rhythm is obviously really important.
“We came out tripping a little bit at the beginning but were able to rally and work together, talked through some stuff. I think everybody got relaxed a little bit once they realized it’s just a football game,” he continued.
The pair’s rhythm is crucial for the Jets, and Thursday night showed that they’re starting to click. Adams finished with seven catches for 91 yards and a 37-yard touchdown that sealed the game, snapping the Jets’ five-game skid.
Sitting at 3-6, the Jets need all the momentum they can get. For now, it seems that Rodgers and Adams have worked out the kinks. New York hopes this connection can spark a late-season surge.