Following a historically poor 2020, the New York Jets have a lot of work to do at training camp this year. When does it start, where will it be held, and are fans allowed to attend?
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With phase 3 of the 2021 NFL offseason set to wrap up on June 18th, teams are already looking forward to training camp. It is by far the most grueling and pivotal part of a team’s preparations.
Training camps often include busy days for players and coaches, sometimes with 2 practices a day, weight training, team meetings, and film sessions.
Per the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), no contact is permitted during the first 3 days of camp. Days 4 and 5 will see players at full speed in light equipment called “spiders and shells”, day 6 is a mandatory day off, and finally fully-padded practices start on the 7th day.
Along with the strenuous schedule, full-speed practices mean that both contact and non-contact injuries are very common. Regardless, training camp is mandatory for all players, unlike OTAs which are voluntary. If a player doesn’t show up, they risk getting cut by their team.
When Does Training Camp Start for the New York Jets?
For the first time in NFL history, there will be a unified start for training camp. 29 franchises, including the Jets, will kick off their training camps on Tuesday, July 27th. The Jets are expected to hit the field for the first time the next day, July 28th.
However, the Cowboys and Steelers, who will play in the preseason Hall of Fame game, are allowed to begin training camp as early as July 21st. The Buccaneers will also be allowed to start training camp 3 days earlier on the 24th, as they play the season opener against Dallas on a Thursday night.
Where is the Jets Training Camp Being Held?
Normally, NFL teams are permitted to hold training camp at outside facilities to improve accessibility for fans, However last year, due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID pandemic, teams were instructed to conduct camp at their own training facilities.
This year, the rules have been eased, a good sign that things are getting back to normal. The Jets will hold most of their practices at the Atlantic Health Training Center in Florham Park, plus an open scrimmage at MetLife Stadium.
New York Jets Training Camp Roster: Key Position Battles to Watch
As usual, teams will start camp with 90-man rosters. They must cut down to 85 players by August 17th and to 80 by August 24th, before settling on a final 53-man roster by August 31st.
New head coach Robert Saleh will be picking up an organization that’s in a weird spot. Despite winning just 2 games last year and finishing with the 2nd worst record, there’s still a lot of pressure on him.
One position he, and his OC Mike LaFleur, need to sort out at training camp will be their Running Back. With the team looking to build around 2nd overall pick Zach Wilson long term, it’s important they help him make the shift to professional football.
This means giving him easy completions wherever possible, and more importantly, developing a strong enough run game to take some of the pressure off.
Saleh and LaFleur will have to make a tough choice between Ty Johnson, who showed his potential in spurts last year, rookie Michael Carter, and Tevin Coleman, who will be making the move from San Francisco just like both the coaches.
Will Fans Be Allowed to Attend Jets Training Camp?
After a year without fans at training camp, NFL teams have done their best to give their fans a good experience. The Jets will host 7 open practices for fans at Florham Park, as well as the annual “Green and White” scrimmage at MetLife.
Also Read: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 2021: Start Date, Location, Roster Battles, and Fan Policy
