Aaron Rodgers reintroduced himself to New York Jets fans in surprising fashion with Thursday’s 24-3 victory over the rival New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
The celebrated quarterback who arrived in 2023 as a franchise savior, only to suffer a season-ending injury within his first four snaps, remained on his feet in the home opener on Thursday. And in doing so, he tore apart the Patriots defense while reminding Jets fans, teammates, coaches and executives why there was so much excitement surrounding his arrival a year ago.
The moment was almost too much for head coach Robert Saleh, who reportedly tried to hug Rodgers after the Jets’ second touchdown of the night, only to be forcefully rebuffed by the four-time MVP.
New York’s bolstered offensive line withstood an improved New England pass rush, the Jets’ formidable defense mauled an overmatched Patriots offensive line, and Rodgers did the rest, completing 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Rodgers didn’t bother to recreate his 2023 entrance, when he triumphantly led his new Jets teammates onto the MetLife Stadium turf with an American flag in hand. In fact, he also didn’t suffer a torn Achilles tendon on his first offensive series as he did 51 weeks earlier.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers faces the New England Patriots during the second quarter
Saleh came on a little too strong in the second quarter when Rodgers rejected his hug.
Instead of those dizzying ups and downs, Rodgers simply moved the chains from the get-go. He completed a five-yard pass to Garrett Wilson on the first play from scrimmage before evading the Patriots’ pressure for an easy five-yard scramble on second down.
Two plays later, Rodgers picked up another first down on an 11-yard pass to Allen Lazard, a receiver who defected from Green Bay to the Garden State with the quarterback in 2023.
Ultimately, a holding penalty forced the Jets into an obvious passing situation, allowing the Patriots’ pass rush to focus on Rodgers, resulting in an easy sack for Deatrich Wise Jr.
But unlike a year ago, when Rodgers’ season ended with the first sack, the 40-year-old, playing in his third game in 11 days, survived to see another drive, this one ending with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Lazard.
It may have been 514 days since he was acquired, but Rodgers had finally thrown a touchdown in front of the home fans, all of whom were deliriously intoxicated with excitement.
Through the first two quarters, Rodgers had completed 15 of 20 passes, most of them in the seams of the Patriots’ porous coverage, for 170 yards and a touchdown.
And perhaps it was even better in the second.
MORE NEXT…