Aaron Rodgers breaks up massive Jets fight at camp as tensions continue to rise

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Laken Tomlinson and Tanzel Smart were involved in a fight at Jets training (Image: 2023 Rich Schultz)
Laken Tomlinson and Tanzel Smart were involved in a fight at Jets training (Image: 2023 Rich Schultz)

Tensions continue to run high at the New York Jets training camp, with Aaron Rodgers getting involved to break up the confrontation.

The Jets were back on the practice field on Tuesday with just two days to go until their first pre-season game against the Cleveland Browns. But Laken Tomlinson and Tanzel Smart clashed before Jermaine Johnson said something towards the pair.

Tomlinson then reacted, but the fight was over in moments as the Jets roster ran over to break things up. Rodgers was right in the mix, looking disappointed with his new team-mates for allowing tensions to boil over.

It's not the first time that a fight has broken out at Jets training this summer, as Michael Clemons and Jermaine Johnson clashed with Kenny Yeboah and Jeremy Ruckert on July 23. Clemons and Johnson got involved in another altercation with players on the offensive line shortly after.

Fights have occurred throughout training camps across the NFL, with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce throwing a punch at Jack Cochrane before apologising on Twitter. The San Francisco 49ers had their first fight of the summer on Monday, after running back Elijah Mitchell caught a pass and was thrown to the ground by linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.

Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl qhiqqhiqekikhinvJoe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl

The fight created tension for the rest of their session, with players such as linebacker Dre Greenlaw, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and safety Tashaun Gipson showing frustration. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski punished members of his roster for fighting after an incident occured at their facility.

Browns players were commanded to do three sets of sprints at varying intensities following the fight, as Stefanski was furious. Fighting is viewed differently by a number of coaches, as some see it as healthy rivalry while others find it unnecessary.

Aaron Rodgers breaks up massive Jets fight at camp as tensions continue to riseAaron Rodgers reportedly broke up the fight in Florham Park (AP)

The difference for the Jets though, is that all of their training incidents are caught on film. The Jets were selected to feature on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this offseason, tracking every move of Rodgers' first steps at the organisation.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh did not want to appear on the show, as he said: "I know there are several teams that would love for Hard Knocks to be in their building. We’re just not one of them."

However, now that they've been around the facility Saleh doesn't mind it too much. "We’ve been doing One Jets Drive the last couple of years. Just talking with Hard Knocks, they’ve got a great group of people working with us. We expressed some of our concerns, they’ve answered it. It’s gonna be fine."

Joseph McBride

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