Calling it “appearance versus reality,” New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers referred to an animated discussion he had with receiver Garrett Wilson the day before a matter of teammates ironing out the fine points of a given play.

A widely viewed video clip online showed the 40-year-old Rodgers, a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, and the third-year receiver in a brief but animated dispute on Tuesday.

“We’re just passionately talking about the details of a situation that might not have to do with either of us,” Rodgers said. “So, G and I have got a great relationship. We spend time together off the field. On the field, there’s a way of doing things that we both agree on, and when it doesn’t look exactly how we want it to, sometimes there’s some sad conversations that happen.”

The players also seemed to have some tense moments on Saturday.

Wilson, the Jets’ first-round draft choice in 2022 out of Ohio State, also sought to downplay the disagreements.

“It’s truly enlightening for me every time we have problems like that, despite how it may look, just because I am an emotional, passionate guy,” Wilson said. “… In reality, all those conversations, those things are helping me be better for Aaron because he can make your life real easy. So, for me, it’s my job to be on my details and he’s been on me about those details.”

Wilson amassed 1,103 receiving yards in his rookie season and 1,042 more in 2023.

Rodgers played just four snaps last season before going down with am Achilles injury. Jets coach Robert Saleh indicated this week that Rodgers would not play in any of New York’s preseason games.

Rodgers, who led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl win after the 2010 season, has thrown for 59,055 yards and 475 touchdowns through 19 NFL seasons.

–Field Level Media