Attending the New York Jets practice day
By Andy Davies
The New York Jets take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week Five of the 2024 NFL Season.
Both teams are making their second trip across the pond in this decade alone, with the Jets last playing in London in 2021, the Vikings in 2022.
In preparation for the game, I attended the New York Jets practice day and spoke to many of the key players and coaches that will be involved on Sunday. Whether this is in relation to the game itself or the growth of the NFL in the UK, it was a very memorable day in sunny London.
Aaron Rodgers: “A lot of good battles over the years”
It was incredible to be the first person to ask a question to Aaron Rodgers, a certain first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. I asked him about whether, after playing in Green Bay for so many years, the prospect of once again taking on the Vikings brings back some good memories.
“Yeah, a lot of great memories, a lot of good battles over the years. Tough memories. The old Metrodome was a tough place to play, this will be the fourth place.
“The Metrodome where they used to play, the University of Minnesota, in US Bank and now White Hart Lane.”
Rodgers also spoke of the growth of the NFL outside the US. He said: “It’s been talked about since two CBA’s ago, about the opportunity to have more international games and grow the game that way.
“The NFL and Super Bowls are already watched by 150 million fans in a tonne of countries so we know the reach that we have so it’s great to be over here and be a part of it. The Packers played in Brazil, there’s always a game in Mexico. I love that we are branching out and I love how we can grow the game.”
Robert Saleh: “They’ve done an unbelievable job protecting Sam”.
The Jets, at time of writing, have the second-best pass defense in the league. Against a high-flying Vikings, who are 4-0, it will be a tough task to stop the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke of the challenge they have ahead of them on Sunday. He said: Minnesota is playing at a very high level. Kevin O’Connell has done a good job as anybody and Sam Darnold is playing fantastic football.
“I think what doesn’t get enough credit for them if their offensive line. They’ve done an unbelievable job protecting Sam and give him time to throw the football. When you have that, as a play designer and caller, you can be as creative as you want. Some of these route concepts you’re seeing aren’t real unless you have a really good offensive line. Credit to them, they’re going to be a tremendous challenge.”
Quinnen Williams: “Just execute and do the things we know we can as a team”
Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was part of the team that last played in London, as they lost 27-20 to Matt Ryan and company. I asked him about whether this is on their minds and how much they will want to win this game and make London an all-round better experience. He said: “Just execute and do the things we know we can as a team, as a defense.
“Just going out there and being consistent, Not beating ourselves and executing to the full potential”
Breece Hall: “It’s definitely a blessing to know that we are being watched worldwide”
As anyone who has been to a London game before will know, you can often find a jersey of all 32 NFL teams on display in the crowd or around the stadium. You even see the likes of Houston Oilers, who are now the Tennessee Titans, having jerseys on display. College Football jerseys are often seen as well.
Although this is yet to be seen, someone realistically could attend a game wearing a Washington Commanders jersey, Washington Football Team beanie hat and a Washington Redskins jacket.
I asked Breece about how it would feel seeing a fan in the crowd wearing a Jets jersey with his name on the back. He said: “I think it would be pretty cool, especially if I am able to make some cool plays and see those people wearing my jersey, to be able to support me and the team. It’s definitely a blessing to know that we are being watched worldwide.”
It should be a fun game on Sunday. Can the Vikings carry on their unbeaten start? Or can the Jets spoil the party and temporarily move level on wins with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East?.
ANDY DAVIES
NFL ANALYST
ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER FOUR YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST AND HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, DOUG PEDERSON, DERRICK HENRY, TREVOR LAWRENCE AND MIKE VRABEL.