NY Jets to hold joint practices with the Packers this summer

The last time the NY Jets held joint practices with another team, they traveled to Richmond to team up with the now Washington Football Team back in 2018.

Three years later, the Jets are set to hold practices with another team this summer. This time, they'll be taking the field with the Green Bay Packers.

As first reported Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Jets will travel to Green Bay and conduct joint practices with the Packers on Aug. 18 and 19.

The two teams will then play each other in a preseason game on Aug. 21, similar to what they did with Washington three years ago.

The NY Jets and Packers coaching staffs have some ties.

It's not surprising that the Jets and Packers opted to team up given the ties between the two coaching staffs.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is the older brother of new Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur creating a brotherly rivalry of sorts. But it goes beyond that.

The elder LaFleur also happens to be best friends with Jets head coach Robert Saleh as the two have known each other since 2004.

Saleh and LaFleur worked and lived together at Central Michigan when they were each starting their respective coaching careers. Their bond is so strong that LaFleur was the best man at Saleh's wedding.

It will be both a family and friend reunion in Green Bay, and there will be a few interesting storylines to follow as well.

For starters, rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will get the opportunity to practice against a pretty solid defense. The Packers defense ranked ninth in yards allowed last season, due in no small part to an above-average secondary.

How will Wilson fare against a cornerback room led by Jaire Alexander and not Bryce Hall and Blessuan Austin? It should provide some insight.

The same could also be true for the Jets' defense going up against the reigning NFL MVP, Aaron Rodgers. Of course, that's assuming his contract situation is sorted out before then.

The last time the Jets traveled to Washington for their joint practices with Washington, tensions flared and a brawl even broke out.

But perhaps with a heartfelt reunion in store, cooler heads will prevail this time around.