Aaron Rodgers calls Jets' camp one of most taxing in many years - ESPN

Aaron Rodgers was warned. In April, the New York Jets quarterback was told by coach Robert Saleh to expect a «tough» training camp.

With only a few days remaining, Rodgers called this one of the most taxing camps he has experienced in many years — and he kind of likes it.

«I would say the camp is much harder this year and maybe the hardest in the last seven or eight of my career,» Rodgers told reporters Tuesday after practice.

By Saleh's count, the Jets have taken 300 more practice reps than they had at this point last year, Rodgers said. It's noteworthy because it shows the organization isn't concerned about Rodgers' age (he turns 41 in December) or his recovery from Achilles surgery last Sept. 13.

Saleh, under pressure to win after an 18-33 record in his first three seasons, has preached a businesslike approach this summer, according to players. The Jets have the NFL's longest playoff drought (13 years), and there's a «now or never» feel around the franchise.

As Rodgers noted, there are «a lot of different schools of thought» on how hard to work a team in training camp. The four-time MVP, for one, said he likes the way Saleh is attacking the season.

«Some of the older players are enjoying the — to steal a coaching word — the 'callus' part of training camp, where you're grinding,» Rodgers said. «Some people believe that, although it puts more strain on you in training camp, it actually gets you more ready to play when the season starts.

»And some people believe the opposite. You know how it goes: Whatever teams are having success, people kind of look at their schedule and go, 'Let's do that.'"

Ironically, given all that, Rodgers got the day off Tuesday — a veteran's rest day, Saleh called it. He expects a heavy workload