Jets star reacts to controversial decision for preseason opener against Packers

First-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn surprised some members of the NFL community when he confirmed on Thursday that his starters will play in the team's preseason opener at the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. 

While speaking with reporters after Glenn revealed his plans, Jets star cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner addressed his coach's decision.

"It did not surprise me at all," Gardner said, per Andy Vasquez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "If you all look, we’ve been tackling in practice. I was pretty sure he was going to want us to tackle another team. So I’m embracing that and looking forward to it, but I definitely was not surprised. None of us were surprised when he said that." 

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic noted that the Jets have held more "physical" practices this summer than they "have had in years." Rosenblatt also pointed out that Jets players like how the team's current regime "praises physicality" and "accountability" after former head coach Robert Saleh embraced a different approach regarding training camp. 

Saleh went 20-36 as Jets head coach before he was fired last fall. 

In June, Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News shared that Gardner's missed-tackle rate of 17.5 percent for the 2024 season had him ranked 80th out of 96 qualified cornerbacks. That didn't prevent the Jets from handing Gardner a four-year, $120.4M deal earlier this summer. 

"I love football," Gardner added. "I’m obsessed with football. Any chance that I get to play, I’m always going to love the idea."

Meanwhile, numerous reporters mentioned over the first week of August that new Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields endured plenty of struggles during training-camp practices. Understandably, Glenn didn't say if he is playing starters against the Packers because he feels his offense needs the additional reps. 

"Because I want the guys to play," Glenn said about his decision. "That’s the reason." 

Jets fans can't help but worry that Glenn could find himself second-guessing his call before Saturday's contest wraps up.