Full circle? Jets’ Aaron Rodgers reflects on playing at MetLife Stadium once again, place where he was ruled out in season-opener last year
Aaron Rodgers will make his first appearance at MetLife Stadium since last year's Buffalo Bills incident, this time facing the New England Patriots.
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Aaron Rodgers (Image via Open Source/X)
After nearly two decades with the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers moved to northeastern New Jersey to play with the New York Jets. In 2023, his season only lasted four plays before he went down to a sack by Leonard Floyd of the Buffalo Bills.
It was a moment Rodgers described as hopeless, a moment where he thought it was all-ending. This is how he goes out. At 40, Rodgers is the oldest active player in the NFL with as many years in the league as teammate Braelon Allen has been born. A four-time Super Bowl MVP, Rodgers has been part of it all. Now, he has a new challenge, to take the Jets to a Super Bowl, for the first time in 55 long years.
The stalwart had a dismal opening to the 2024 season where the San Francisco 49ers ran riot on the Jets’ defense. They quickly got back to their feet in Week 2 with a win over the Tennessee Titans. After the two road games, The Jets are returning to East Rutherford where they will play their home opener against division rivals New England Patriots on Thursday.
The MetLife Stadium brings back memories for Rodgers. It is the place that welcomed him like a king, where he felt the end. The 40-year-old Rodgers, who recently earned his first win as a Green and White, will now forward to an emotional win in front of home fans.
I feel good about it. It’s been a long time since I took the field at JetLife, so it’ll be a lot of emotions for sure. But thankfully we’re already into the third game of the season. We’ve played two full games. My body feels good, about as good as it can. It’ll be fun to be out there with the crowd.Aaron Rodgers said after a walk-through practice on Tuesday (H/T: espn.com)
In two games, Rodgers has a total of 343 passing yards with an average of 60.8% completion rate. He has 3 touchdowns with one interception in total. The quarterback has a QBR of 47.8, currently 18th in the league ahead of Patrick Mahomes.
Aaron Rodgers is grateful for being able to play at 40
Rodgers is one of the most veteran players in the league. He feels special that he is still able to play at 40, to come back from a season-ending injury, to heal and play in front of the fans. Rodgers further acknowledged the fact that he is playing against people 20 years junior to him, which serves as a reminder of how special it is to play at this age.
It just gets a little weird when you’re playing against head coaches you played against, and you’re playing with guys that could be your kid. Yeah, it’s a good reminder of how special it is to still be playing at 40.Aaron Rodgers added
The home opener will see Rodgers playing against Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots HC, who was drafted three years after Rodgers. The last time they met each other was as players in 2010, when Mayo suffered 16 tackles in a losing game.
The Jets will be gunning for a victory to continue a streak. They have the fourth-most easiest pathway to the playoffs, something many expect Rodgers to lead the Green and the White to.
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Mohammed Bazim
(451 Articles Published)