The Aaron Rodgers effect goes far beyond the quarterback’s on-field excellence.
Just ask Quinnen Williams.
The Jets defensive tackle has been getting to know the new star quarterback the past two weeks and said Rodgers’ emphasis on communication has made all the difference in improving as a unit.
“That’s the biggest thing that I’ve taken away just him being on the team, he will tell you right there after the play what you need to work on or what you’re seeing right there, or what he’s seeing right there when it comes down to the move he wants,” Williams said at the Jets’ training camp Saturday in Florham Park, N.J.
Williams, who signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension last month, will lead a defensive line full of depth and talent, with the help of guys like Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers, but the work does not stop within their own room.
The communication must, and has been, trickling down to the whole roster.
“Iron sharpening iron,” Williams, 25, said.
“[Rodgers] bringing that aspect to this team, I feel like making the offensive line and defensive line, just the team better in general because we both tell each other what we did wrong so we can hold each other accountable and critique what we did wrong so we can move better every single day.”
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After 18 seasons in Green Bay, Rodgers, 39, has proved his leadership style can translate to a new team.
It’s not a veteran standing on a podium and preaching.
Instead, it’s Rodgers bringing his teammates closer to one another, and instilling an understanding that with individual growth comes team growth.
“He’s making us better every single day, just the competition level. As an offense, as a defense, we don’t take it light on each other. We’re trying to push each other,” Williams said.
“It’s been phenomenal that we have a great group of guys on our team that hold each other accountable and can take constructive criticism when it comes down to trying to get better and make that one percent better.”
The Jets’ defense, which finished the 2022 season ranked No. 4, has high aspirations and expectations this year with Williams driving for the No. 1 slot, amongst other accolades.
“And I want them [teammates] to hold me accountable as well because I want to win a Super Bowl. I want to win,” Williams said. “My whole build up is about competing and winning at a high level in anything I do.”
