Aaron Rodgers has made it through the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, but New York Jets fans are all looking forward to the team's home opener on Thursday night, as he returns home for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon.
Rodgers famously missed his first series with the Jets last season, rupturing his Achilles tendon on the MetLife Stadium turf after just his fourth snap with his new team against the Buffalo Bills.
So Jets fans gathered at MetLife in East Rutherford, New Jersey to see what Rodgers had in store for their Week 3 matchup against the AFC East rival New England Patriots, and they weren't disappointed.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) twirls a ball on his finger during warmups before the game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Rodgers survived the game's first series while the Jets couldn't score, but after the defense forced a three-and-out on the Patriots' first attempt, Rodgers quickly made the most of his second chance.
After a Patriots punt, Rodgers led the Jets' offense 73 yards in eight plays, capping off his first touchdown drive with a screen pass to former Green Bay Packers teammate Allen Lazard, who has already scored twice this season, with 4:13 left.
At the Patriots' 10-yard line, Rodgers quickly threw the ball to Lazard on his left off the snap, who was facing a defender one-on-one. As he made his move, the Patriots cornerback missed, and Lazard's undershirt ripped off as he fell into the end zone.
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But instead of celebrating alone, Lazard realized just how much this touchdown meant to Rodgers as he ran over to him to hand him the ball.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) prepares for a pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Rodgers' Jets teammates ran over him, patted him on the helmet and praised him, celebrating the first touchdown that football fans at home had been waiting to see.
Last year, on this same field, Rodgers collapsed in Week 1 and expectations were astronomical for what this Jets team could accomplish — after all, they hadn't made the playoffs in 12 years, the longest drought in American sports.
The Achilles tear not only caused a lot of distress for the franchise and its fans, but also raised the possibility that Rodgers might retire, but that wasn't how the four-time MVP wanted to retire, so he began working towards a one-day return in New York.
The Jets are 1-1 this season with Rodgers healthy, including a win over the Titans in Tennessee last week.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)
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Jets fans will be hoping that Rodgers continues his form for the rest of the season and scores more touchdowns at home in many upcoming games.
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