New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers commented on his Monday Night Football injury in an Instagram post Wednesday, thanking his supporters and promising to “rise yet again.” Rodgers only played four snaps for New York before exiting his debut game with a season-ending Achilles injury.
“Thank you to every person that has reached out, called, texted, DM’d, connected through a friend, etc,” Rodgers said. “It has meant a ton to me, and I’ll try and get back to all of you soon.
“I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.
“The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again.”
Rodgers became the biggest story in football this offseason when he came to New York through a trade with the Green Bay Packers. Considered the missing piece for an improving Jets team full of young stars, Rodgers was expected to lead the team to a deep postseason run after years of mediocrity.
Several of Rodgers’ teammates have spoken about Rodgers since his injury, describing feelings of immense disappointment. Beyond his role as an elite passer, he also quickly became a leader off the field for the team’s young core. He can still serve in this role on the sidelines this season, but he will still be missed under center.
“His presence, his words… Like I said, he’s as much a football coach as he is a player, and just having his presence, his thoughts, his words and his leadership, I think anyone would want that,” head coach Robert Saleh said about Rodgers Wednesday.
in Rodgers’ absence, Zach Wilson will return to his starting position for the Jets. In two seasons with the team, the second of which was hampered by injuries, Wilson has struggled to prove himself as a franchise quarterback. But in a massive surprise, the back-up quarterback played a key part in the Jets’ Week 1 comeback victory over the Bills. Such a victory seemed impossible after Rodgers left on the team’s first drive of the game.
Beyond Wilson, the team still has the same talented players it had before. Defensive phenoms Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, along with ballhawk Jordan Whitehead, all played key parts in shutting down Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense, while receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall led the offense with big plays throughout the game in Week 1. Last year, the team’s problems at quarterback kept these young stars from reaching the playoffs, but as Rodgers noted later in his Instagram post, they are beginning 2023 with a 1-0 record.
