Conklin geared for 2024 breakout
There are plenty of Jets players who should benefit from the return of a healthy Aaron Rodgers, but one who has jumped out at OTAs is tight end Tyler Conklin.
Conklin, who is now in his third year with the team, has 119 catches for 1,173 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons despite the revolving door at quarterback. Stability with Rodgers could help Conklin in 2024, which also happens to be a contract year for him.
Conklin said he has been focused this offseason on maximizing his talents. He also wants to avoid a repeat of last year when he failed to score a touchdown.
“It’s frustrating,” Conklin said. “No one wants to go a whole season without touching the end zone. But it is what it is. There’s nothing I can do about it. But I tell you that I am motivated to not let that happen again.”
Conklin is in the final year of his $20.25 million contract. At the time, his signing was overshadowed by the acquisition of another free agent tight end, C.J. Uzomah, but Uzomah was cut this offseason, and Conklin has proven to be the better addition. ➤ Coach Robert Saleh has been impressed by new LT Tyron Smith, and not just on the field.
“I was going through the weight room and I saw him repping out over 400 pounds on the bench like it was my 135 rep,” Saleh said. “He’s an impressive man.”
Saleh said thet are going to have to protect Smith from himself because he is such a hard worker. To that end, Smith did not practice Tuesday in what looked like the coaches just giving him a day off.
➤ Offensive line coach Keith Carter took some criticism for his aggressive coaching style. Carter said he is trying to adjust.
“We’ve got to be men of our word,” Carter said. “If we’re asking the players to constantly improve and get better, so do we as coaches. I’m a hard charger. I’m a yeller, even sometimes when I don’t mean to be. I’m focusing on making sure my timing is right and I do it the right way.”
➤ Jets legend Nick Mangold was at practice Tuesday and took some time to work with second-year center Joe Tippmann. … Saleh said RB Breece Hall is dealing with “lower-half stuff,” and that is why he is not practicing. … Saleh said DT Javon Kinlaw was present for the early portion of the spring workouts but not in recent weeks.