Jets open OTAs with Aaron Rodgers and new uniforms

The Jets began their voluntary offseason workouts on Monday with Aaron Rodgers back in the building.

Rodgers said at the end of last season that he planned to be part of the OTAs “as much as possible.”

“The football part’s important at this point for me to be around as much as I can,” Rodgers said.

It was a big day for the Jets overall. They unveiled new uniforms that paid tribute to the Sack Exchange era. They are known as their “legacy collection” and come in three colors: green, white and black. They feature double-stripe shoulders and single-stripe pants, matching the design the Jets wore from 1979-89.

The Jets also had Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in their facility for an official top-30 visit. Bowers is very much in play for the Jets with the No. 10 pick in next week’s NFL Draft.

The Jets are going into the season with a lot of excitement and high expectations for the second year in a row. Rodgers’ return to good health combined with some significant offseason acquisitions should have them in contention this season.

Rodgers suffered a torn left Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of his Jets debut. The four-time MVP rehabbed furiously with hopes of returning if the Jets were in the playoff chase. They weren’t.

A disappointing 7-10 finish led to some big roster moves that the Jets believe will result in their first playoff berth since the 2010 season.

The Jets picked up playmakers in wide receiver Mike Williams and edge rusher Haason Reddick and rebuilt the offensive line with left tackle Tyron Smith, right tackle Morgan Moses and left guard John Simpson.

General manager Joe Douglas still has work to do, and the next big decision involves the draft.

The Jets have the roster flexibility to go a few ways with the No. 10 pick. The safe bet is for them to take an offensive tackle, but giving Rodgers another target makes a lot of sense.

It’s a good receiver draft, but the top three could be off the board by the time the Jets pick. Scouts and draft experts believe the versatile Bowers could make an immediate impact in the NFL. He caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia and also rushed for five scores.

Bowers would join a tight end room that features the productive Tyler Conklin and Lindenhurst’s Jeremy Ruckert, who is expected to play a bigger role this season.

“I love our tight end room,” coach Robert Saleh said last month when asked about potentially drafting a tight end. “But if there’s a chance to add even more dynamic players, we’re going to look at it.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.