Zach Wilson’s mother, Lisa Neelman Wilson, thanked fans for their support after her son stepped in for the New York Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ “heartbreaking” injury Monday night.
Rodgers’ Jets career got off to the worst start imaginable Monday night when he left New York’s win over the Buffalo Bills after injuring his left ankle.
Coach Robert Saleh admitted it was “not good” and that he believed Rodgers was suffering from an Achilles injury amid concerns the quarterback’s season might be over.
Backup quarterback Wilson, 23, stepped in just 3:45 into the game as the veteran was helped onto a cart and wheeled out for an X-ray, ultimately leading the Jets to a 22-16 victory in a Rainy MetLife Stadium.
Although he previously said he would “make this guy’s life hell” if the Jets signed a veteran quarterback, Wilson has studied Rodgers closely throughout the preseason with the four-time MVP serving as mentor.
Zach Wilson’s (second from right) mother, Lisa Neelman Wilson (far right), thanked fans for their support after her son stepped in for the Jets following the injury to Aaron Rodgers (at LEFT).
Lisa described Rodgers’ injury as ‘heartbreaking’ after he mentored her son
Lisa also took to her Instagram Stories to thank her fans for their “love and support.”
Wilson’s mother, Lisa, took to Instagram following Rodgers’ injury, writing on her Story: “We love @aaronrodgers12. He was a very good mentor. Heartbreaking.’
In another story, Lisa also thanked fans for their support, admitting it was difficult to see her son step in.
She wrote: “Watching your children do difficult things is much harder than doing them yourself. Not the evening we expected… Just trying to catch my breath (sic). I am so overwhelmed with love and support. Literally hundreds of texts and DMs. Some I know and many I have never met. Just know that I see you, I can feel you carrying me and I am so grateful to have such amazing people surrounding me and my family. THANKS.’
Rodgers dropped back on first down from the Jets’ 43-yard line and attempted to roll to his left before being sacked by Floyd for a 10-yard loss. But his left foot appeared to get stuck in the Jets’ turf as he was tackled.
The Jets still managed to pull out a sensational victory with Xavier Gipson’s 65-yard game-winning touchdown run in overtime, driving MetLife Stadium crazy.
Rodgers agreed to a restructured contract in July that gives him $75 million fully guaranteed for this season and next. That represents a pay cut of nearly $35 million from the deal he made in Green Bay.
Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, reportedly followed Rodgers around like a “puppy” during the preseason.
“You would think there’s Velcro between Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers,” King told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk in July.
Rodgers injured his ankle while being sacked by Leonard Floyd minutes after his Jets debut
Rodgers, 39, fell to the ground and immediately required medical assistance.
While away from the field, Rodgers was seen wearing a protective boot.
Wilson, 23, reportedly stayed alongside the veteran quarterback throughout the preseason.
Wilson was previously accused of sleeping with his mother’s best friend by his ex-girlfriend
“Zach Wilson is like the puppy next to Aaron Rodgers. He’s always talking to him, he’s always trying to get information out of him.
“Because I’m sure – I haven’t talked to Zach Wilson – but I’m sure Zach Wilson is thinking, ‘Hey, we’re doing this for two years, and by training camp 2025, whatever, I have a real and legitimate luck. to be a quarterback again,’ and that’s how he takes it.”
Rodgers had spoken glowingly of the 23-year-old, insisting that, despite Wilson’s previous comments, he had made him feel welcome in New York.
“He’s been incredible,” Rodgers said in June. “He didn’t make my life hell every day. He’s a pleasure to work with and I give him a lot of credit because it’s a difficult situation he went through.
That’s in stark contrast to Wilson’s last offseason, when his ex-girlfriend accused him of sleeping with her mother’s best friend.
Abbey Gile made the accusations after being called a “homie hopper” when reports surfaced that she was dating Wilson’s roommate and best friend, Washington Commanders catcher Dax Milne.
At the time, Lisa told DailyMail.com: “She (Abbey) is a very angry girl.”
