Before Aaron Rodgers got a chance to take a bite out of the Big Apple, it took a bit out of him on Monday Night. On the Jets quarterback’s first drive with his new team, he left the game early with an ankle injury and did not return. New York would play the rest of the game with the former second-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson, who rallied the squad to a 22-16 overtime win.
Aaron Rodgers injured during Monday Night Football | Highlight Heaven – YouTube
On the Jets’ third offensive snap of 2023, offensive lineman Duane Brown missed a block against Bills linebacker Leonard Floyd. Rodgers tried to scramble free, but Floyd sacked Rodgers, rolling the quarterback’s legs underneath him as they both went down.
To say it was a bittersweet week 1 victory would be an understatement. Aaron Rodgers had been the talk of the National Football League all off-season, as his move from his longtime stronghold of Green Bay to the Jets was well-documented. After long, drawn-out negotiations, he finally arrived in New York to a hero’s welcome.
Not long after, it seemed like the biggest effect that the QB would have on his new franchise was turning it into a destination spot. Hearing the news that one of the greatest passers of all time was playing in New York was enough to draw the attention of free agents and superstars all around the League. So, Aaron Rodgers became a bit of a pied piper of sorts, twiddling away as everyone else seemingly followed him to the promised land.
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Former ‘future of the franchise’ Wilson performed well enough to win, but that’s just about it. However, he has to be credited for playing under extreme duress during the situation. Even still, he only managed 140 yards passing with one touchdown, one interception, and a very meager 22.6 QB Rating. That won’t get it done for a team that’s supposed to be making Super Bowl plans.
And on top of that, even if Zach Wilson plays lights out the rest of the way, he’s still not Aaron Rodgers. He doesn’t have the leadership, experience, or swagger that the veteran superstar has.
“It’s not good” – Jets coach Robert Salleh discusses Aaron Rodgers’ injury | CBS Sports – YouTube
That’s because the four-time NFL MVP has proven in the past to be a dominator, having one Super Bowl championship already on his resume. Long-suffering Jets fans were quick to hop on the bandwagon. Especially considering the team hasn’t won the Lombardi Trophy since Elvis was still alive.
However, “The City That Never Sleeps” had a new king on the stage now, and his name was Aaron Rodgers. They just had no idea that his first performance would be so brief. And if he is lost for a significant portion of the season, then Monday Night will be no more than a pyrrhic victory.
For now, the Jets (1-0) will evaluate Rodgers and make a complete determination. But as of press time, he is ruled as ‘doubtful’ for the team’s game this Sunday. New York will travel to Dallas to battle the Cowboys (1-0).
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