4 NY Jets takeaways from the third episode of 'Hard Knocks'

The third episode of ‘Hard Knocks’ with the NY Jets aired last night and brought with it some interesting takeaways and funny moments.

From Woody Johnson wearing a chain to Jerome Kapp performing the "8 Mile" freestyle and ending with Ralph Macchio delivering the team a lesson from Mr. Miyagi, it's safe to say it was a pretty eventful episode.

But let’s take a look at some of the football takeaways from the third episode of ‘Hard Knocks.’

Preseason finale

Robert Saleh told both Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner that "everyone" is playing in the preseason finale.

Saleh’s reasoning for Aaron Rodgers suiting up for a preseason game for the first time since 2018 was so that the season opener was not his first time taking snaps at Metlife Stadium as a member of the Jets.

He probably will not play for long, so getting Rodgers out there for a little bit in a game situation could help calm some nerves come the regular season.

Robert Saleh

To open the episode, Robert Saleh gave another great team speech about being a competitor. Throughout this series, Saleh has looked like a great leader.

Seeing all of the players, but especially the young players, intently listening to him and taking notes is a good sign that, after many years, the Jets have the right coach.

Aside from the big team speeches, how Saleh interacts one-on-one with players speaks volumes, and the team seems bought into his way of doing things.

Running backs 

A big focus of this week’s episode was the running backs. They showed some of Dalvin Cook but a lot of both Breece Hall and Israel Israel Abanikanda.

Hall opened up about his rehab from his torn ACL and how he plans on being ready for Week 1. In his first practice back, Hall hit 21 miles per hour and looks like he is moving really well.

They mention Abanikanda as a running back fighting for a roster spot, although he is probably safe, and it is more likely Zonovan Knight is the odd man out. Abanikanda did have a thigh injury in the Buccaneers preseason game, but it does not seem that serious.

Garrett Wilson

In joint practices with the Buccaneers, Devin White mentioned how Aaron Rodgers does not have Davante Adams anymore and does not know who his "guy" is.

They show how Garrett Wilson is becoming that guy for Rodgers now, and their connection keeps on growing. Rodgers praises Wilson to former Jets Braylon Edwards and Mark Sanchez, who were both visiting training camp.

Earlier in the episode, Randall Cobb tells the other receivers that Rodgers will not throw the ball to receivers he does not trust, but that is certainly not a problem for Wilson. Wilson is in for a big season as Rodgers’ "guy."