New York Jets first-year wide receiver Malachi Corley is attempting to connect with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
One way he has tried to do so by sending text messages to Rodgers during the week and phoning him on draft day to develop a relationship.
“Yes, I only spoke to him on draft night. I’ve messaged him the past couple of nights, I’m just young and he’s the experienced one, he’s the MVP, he’s the Hall of Famer, and all of those sorts of things. I’m just like a young individual talking to him all the time texting him trying to see what he has done to stay consistent in the league, the things he’s done to work on his mental health, how he has kept his body functioning for so long. So I’ve chatted with him. He said I can stay in his guesthouse if I want to. So yeah me and him are close that’s going to be my buddy while I’m here,” Corley explained. “I certainly will [accept Rodgers' offer].”
Corley Receives Some Massive Praise
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report stated firmly that Corley, “is the next Jets playmaker! He’s the perfect complement to Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams — and will quickly become a top target for Aaron Rodgers.”
Malachi Corley is the next #Jets’ playmaker!
He’s the perfect complement to Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams — and will quickly become a top target for Aaron Rodgers. https://t.co/u2o7LFbC1y pic.twitter.com/irmGGqRf0Q
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 3, 2024
During an appearance on FS1’s “Speak”, Schultz called Corley, “Deebo Samuel 2.0.”
That isn’t the first time Corley has been compared to the talented San Francisco 49ers star.
“I think it is an amazing honor,” Corley said when he’s compared to Samuel. “It’s an honor to be mentioned with somebody that is such a highly esteemed player.”
Although Corley said he believes he has even more to offer than what he has shown.
“I’m still young, I’m just now getting my feet wet. I think I’ve hardly scratched the surface of who I am as a player. I think the yards-after-catch thing is just something that I do. But just trying to elevate my game and surpass that label of being a gadget player and a weapon and all those things.”
Jets Staff Is Excited About the Corley Offensive Possibilities
Head coach Robert Saleh acknowledged that Corley is “inexperienced in terms of route running so we are actively working on that.”
However, there is plenty that Corley can do.
“Getting him the ball and the creativity that comes with it I think we’re all having a lot of fun looking at ways to get him the ball. He is unique in that way,” Saleh added.
Corley earned the nickname “YAC King” for his ability to make plays once the ball gets into his hands.
From 2021 through this past year, Corley amassed 2,068 yards after the catch which is “by far the most in the FBS” over that period of time, according to Jets senior reporter Eric Allen.
Those are impressive numbers, but Corley’s skill set requires an offense that can create orchestrated touches for him to succeed. The Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett wasn’t exactly described as a creative offensive mind in his first season with the team in 2023.
In fact, he orchestrated one of the worst offenses in team history. That puts a lot of pressure on Hackett to flip the script or on Rodgers to serve as the quasi-offensive coordinator on top of his starting quarterback duties.
