Three Takeaways from the Jets' First Week of Summer

The summer solstice coincided with talk of psychedelics, an ACL tear and Super Bowl visions

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Between a couple of hot takes and an injury update, it was anything but a quiet first week of summer for New York Jets' fans.

Despite the team being on break prior to the start of training camp, there was plenty to discuss.

In particular, there were three Jets-related discoveries we made on social media last week.

Aaron Rodgers Loves a Good Trip

The future Hall-of-Fame quarterback made headlines for speaking at Psychedelic Science 2023 on Wednesday in Denver.

Rodgers touted the benefits of his personal experience with Ayahuasca.

Speaking in a state where voters legalized psilocybin mushrooms last year last year, the four-time NFL made a case for psychedelic use by professional athletes as well as wide-scale legalization.

"All these bums who want to, you know, come after me online about my experience and stuff, they've never tried it," said Rodgers. "They're the perfect people for it. We need to get these people taking it."

Rodgers first used "Aya" prior to his 2020 MVP season with the Green Bay Packers.

"It's going to be hard to cancel me because the previous year [2019] — 26 touchdowns, four interceptions, we had a good season," said Rodgers on stage with author Aubrey Marcus. "Ayahuasca — 48 touchdowns, five interceptions, MVP."

Chuck Clark Fears Confirmed

After arriving in Florham Park as a result of a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, preliminary projections slotted the veteran safety into Gang Green's starting lineup alongside strong safety Jordan Whitehead. 

"Already, just their relationship out here has been, it’s been exceptional," said Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on May 31. "You can see Chuck, there’s a reason he’s played such consistent football for such a long time."

All appeared to be going swimmingly during OTAs until the final week.

Unfortunately, Clark injured his knee during one of the team's last spring practices. There were reports of a possible season-ending injury a few days later. 

The 28-year-old safety underwent further tests and received a second opinion to no avail. This past week, a host of NFL insiders confirmed that Clark had suffered a torn ACL.

On the same day that the initial injury reports surfaced, the Jets inked free agent Adrian Amos, an eight-year NFL starter.

With Clark headed for Injured Reserve, Amos will likely see a lot of work in 2023.

#Jets S Chuck Clark suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season, sources said following the MRI. Clark, who NYJ traded for, also received a second opinion. This explains the signing of veteran DB Adrian Amos, who fills the void.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 22, 2023

Former NFL QB Claims Jets Are For Real

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky is bullish on the Jets this season.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Orlovsky classified Gang Green, along with the division rival Buffalo Bills, as legitimate "Super Bowl contenders."

"The Bills and the Jets are unquestioned Super Bowl contenders. The quarterback talent that they have, the skill talent that they have, the defense that both have," said Orlovsky.

The Jets return all key pieces from a 2022 defense that ranked fourth out of 32 teams in the NFL. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner are viewed as franchise players following All-Pro selections last year.

"I think this is the best defense Aaron's ever played with," said Orlovsky on ESPN's Get Up last month.

On offense, in addition to landing Rodgers, Gang Green added veteran receivers Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb as complements to reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.

Orlovsky, a 2005 fifth-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions, tabbed the Bills and the Jets as "two teams that are the most equipped to beat Kansas City."

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