With training camp well underway, the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers got together for a joint practice.
As is usually the case, competitive fire between the two sides boiled over and many scuffles broke out during the session.
According to reports, the practice was marred by an astonishing “six or seven” scuffles, leaving fans riled up over the intensity of the clashes.
𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: #Jets and #Bucs are going at it in joint practice.
(@TalkJetsRadio)pic.twitter.com/mJNOxR0ed9
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 16, 2023
The aggression didn’t come without its consequences, however.
New York Jets assistant coach Tony Oden found himself caught in the crossfire and collapsed on the sideline after being inadvertently struck during a skirmish.
The cart is out.
It’s #Jets coach Tony Oden. He’s being placed in the front seat and taken back inside. Scary scene. Still not completely sure what happened. After players separated Oden was on his knee.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 16, 2023
A few guys from Bucs O, Jets D needed to be separated from some after-the-snap contact, and now I really want to write a story talking to guys across NFL who break up teammates’ fights. How consistent are de-escalation best practices? Are same guys peacemaking or are we rotating? pic.twitter.com/o3FAGz4qtf
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) August 16, 2023
Oden was swiftly attended to by medical staff and transported from the field on a cart.
Thankfully, Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh later confirmed that Oden’s condition was stable and he’s expected to be perfectly fine.
#Jets CB Tony Oden caught some ‘friendly fire’ in a skirmish and is alert but going to hospital to get checked out, Saleh said
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) August 16, 2023
The tension-fueled joint practice featured many scuffles, which should lead to an interesting preseason matchup when the teams face off on Saturday.
Billy Turner takes on 3 Bucs pic.twitter.com/UZlP5gAX2S
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) August 16, 2023
It had been quiet for awhile, now there’s another big fight. Number of players involved as the offense & defense from both sides come together on one field. Just silly. This is getting out of hand.
Don’t know if it’s a result of a fight, but it looks like a coach has taken a…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 16, 2023
The Jets have been the talk of the offseason after acquiring four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adjusting to the post-Tom Brady era.
With the legendary quarterback having retired (again), the Bucs are determined to prove that they can still compete at a high level, despite the absence of Brady.
Baker Mayfield is expected to be Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback when they kick off the season. Needless to say, he has pretty big shoes to fill.
How do you think both teams will do this season?
Does Rodgers have a fifth MVP left in him?