Few around the NFL can say they have watched Aaron Rodgers as much as Tyler Conklin, his new Jets teammate.
Though he was raised in Michigan, the 27-year-old tight end grew up a Packers fan and as a teenager he regularly watched Rodgers.
Conklin then spent the first four seasons of his career with the Vikings, playing in the same NFC North division as Rodgers and receiving a close-up look.
Entering his second season with the Jets, Conklin is now getting his closest look yet at Rodgers, the team’s new quarterback.
Conklin called it “crazy” and a “dream come true.”
Beyond a personal dream for Conklin, however, he and Rodgers, 39, are hoping to be a dream pairing on the field.
The Jets have ambitious expectations for Conklin this season.
“Conk has tremendous athleticism. He’s got so much grit in the run game,” head coach Robert Saleh said following practice Friday. “For [him and Rodgers], it’s just getting on the same page as quickly as possible. Knock on wood, that tight end group, it’s gonna be a fun group. … Conklin is someone that I think can really blossom in this offense.”
Saleh pointed to tight ends such as Mercedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan thriving in new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s West Coast offense, which the Jets are implementing this year and is largely what Rodgers has run throughout his career.
Conklin echoed that sentiment, claiming the offense is “very tight end friendly.”
Specifically, Conklin said the offense’s emphasis on running outside zone should open up ample play-action opportunities for him and the other tight ends.
“I love the way these coaches teach this offense…,” Conklin said. “And [Rodgers] is just so smart. He makes everyone around him so much better because of his experiences and what he’s been through.”
C.J. Uzomah is beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform list due to a leg injury, so Conklin is the top tight end on the depth chart.
He recorded 58 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns after signing a three-year, $20.3 million contract with the Jets last year.
Conklin said he has studied tight ends who played with Rodgers in the past, particularly Tonyan, Jermichael Finley and Jared Cook.
Each was used differently, Conklin said.
After watching and playing against Rodgers for so many years, Conklin said the veteran quarterback has mostly been as expected.
In meetings, Rodgers “keeps you on your toes,” and is constantly making sure everyone is on the same page.
But there’s a side to Rodgers that Conklin is still waiting to see.
“I’m excited to see when things really get intense on the field, how he is on the field,” Conklin said. “I’ve definitely heard he has a switch. I’m excited to play with a competitor like him.”